MxMIndia

Category: MEDIA

  • Indians registered the strongest relationship with brands globally, reports a Havas Media Group study

    Indian consumers most passionate & grateful

     

    :: 68% Indians generally trust brands

    :: 82% Indians think brands should play a role in improving our quality of life and well-being

     

    The results from Havas Media Group’s 2013 Meaningful Brands statistically demonstrate that Meaningful Brands outperform the stockmarket by 120 percent. It demonstrates in hard financial terms, how the relationship between people and brands can benefit from measuring, communicating and delivering increased well-being.

     

     

    Top 12 Meaningful Brands 2013

     

    India:

    Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), Britannia, Cadbury, Sony, Samsung, Parle-G, Unilever, Tata Motors, Airtel, Hyundai, LGE and Maruti

     

    Global:

    Google, Samsung, Microsoft, Nestle, Sony, IKEA, Dove, Nike, Wal-Mart, DANONE, Philips and P&G

     

    Sector trends

    India Top 3 Sectors : F&B, Auto and IT & Consumer Electronics (ITC)

     

    Global Top 3 Sectors : Retail, F&B, ITC

     

    Brands can break sector limitations and emerge outliers disrupting all categories as Life Insurance Corporation in India. 2013 shows a marked increase in the importance of ITC globally, half of the top ten brands are technological; these act as enablers to empower us to achieve our potential.

     

    Indian Brands having greatest Attachmen (highest percent of people who would care if they disappeared): LIC, Cadbury, Unilever

     

    In its sixth year, the 2013 findings show Indians as the ‘most passionate and grateful’ customers across the globe, believing brands ‘can and should’ contribute positively to their overall quality of life. People in India tend to believe the overall intentions of brands yet are a bit sceptical of their communication creating huge opportunities for brands to make a real, tangible meaningful difference. India is increasingly expecting brands to enhance personal well-being as brands become aspirational symbols of their improved standard of living.

     

    The study measures 13 dimensions: impact of the brand’s ‘Marketplace’ benefits alongside its impact on 12 different areas of ‘Well-being’ (Personal and Collective), for a comprehensive view of its effect on quality of life. Unique in scale – 700 brands, over 134,000 consumers and 23 countries, it measures the benefits brands bring to people’s lives. The Meaningful Brand Index (MBi) forms the core of the Meaningful Brands framework allowing a view of brand results in terms of consumer perception over time.

     

    Anita Nayyar

    Speaking on the study, Anita Nayyar, CEO, Havas Media Group, India & South Asia, said, “The India findings highlight deep customer involvement with brands, making ‘meaningful’ the sweet spot of brand strategy in India. Meaningful – today is real business, delivering what matters when, in the truest economic and social sense. It drives brands to establish relationship connections with their customers directed towards sustained personal, societal and financial success.”

     

    India findings

    Consumers in India not only trust brands more but also expect more. Key figures include:

     

    :: 68% people in India generally trust brands (Asia 58%, US 36%, Global avg. 45%)

    :: 71% believe that brands can play a role in improving their quality of life and well-being (Asia 65%, US 41%, Global avg. 50%)

    :: 82% think companies and brands should play a role in improving our quality of life and well-being (Asia 77%, Global avg. 70%)

    :: 79% agree that large companies should be actively involved in solving social and environmental problems (Asia 75%, Global avg. 71%)

     

    What Indians Want? – Modern-day life and livelihood pressures dominate the psyche of Indians:

    :: 3 key issues Indians cannot live without:

    People who care, Save money & better manage spending, Adopt a healthy lifestyle

     

    :: 3 key issues Indians want to devote more time to:

    Learn new skills, Adopt a healthy lifestyle, Simplify and organise life to gain more time

     

    Mohit Joshi

    “More meaningful global brands are likely to come from emerging than western markets where brands need to reinvent themselves to reconnect with people, to avoid getting commoditized. This presents huge opportunities for existing and new brands to establish meaningful connections with their customers in India. Here consumers are still warming up to brands and core categories like F&B brands are seen as meaningful. The study is scalable and throws up rich inferences for a strategic outlook. LIC is an outlier being in the insurance category yet completely in sync with Indian touch points, thus its India’s 2013 top meaningful brand”, continued Mohit Joshi, Managing Director, Havas Media India.

     

  • The idea was to communicate and position WeChat as the starting point of all conversations and interactions

    WeChat uses humour to attract user attention

    By a correspondent

     

    App enabler WeChat has unveiled a series of campaigns under the #StartHere handle. The idea was to communicate and position WeChat as the starting point of all conversations and interactions.

     

    Created by Publicis, the challenge facing WeChat was to stimulate active usage of the app post download. Though the idea of sending voice messages had caught the people’s fancy, the usage tended to dip post download as people reverted to default behaviour of Whatsapp. WeChat therefore, needed to position itself as an innovative, fun and great to use application.

     

    As people, especially youngsters increasingly access the internet through their mobile phones, they began to be more selective with communicating and sharing. Sharing was about keeping in touch with the ‘gang’ or friends constantly – sharing their lives in pictures, song, voice or words with each other in real-time. Technology only enables and empowers the youth tospontaneously and seamlessly keep in touch in the real and virtual space.

     

    WeChat decided to tap into this need for constant contact and the sense of empowerment at being able to do so in new and engaging ways. To engage with the audience more effectively four new features needed to be advertised; radar – for easily adding people within close range, real time location sharing and tracking, video calling and favourite – to store your favourite pics, music, videos in the cloud.

     

    To get the message across the agency decided to make the conversation fun and engaging. They decided to tap into its observations of the ‘urban villager’ and thus was born the Jaat Guy and his beloved buffalo Katrina.

     

    The Jaat Guy is one who wants to embrace the world and connect with new people, but he will do it on his own terms, and in his own inimitable style. He is a symbolic embodiment of many young Indians who live and breathe through their smartphones – very proud of their roots and, at the same time, open to all the opportunities that our hyper-connected world has to offer.

     

    The team behind the campaign include Bobby Pawar, CCO; Joy Mohanty, ECD; HemantMisra, Annirudh Deb, Proteek Dey – Account Management; and production house Boot Polish.

     

  • Amagi is the leader in geo-targeted advertising enabling advertisers to optimize their ad spends effectively

    Jitesh Rajdeo joins Amagi Media as Director

    By a correspondent

     

    Leading TV ad network Amagi Media has announced the appointment of Jitesh Rajdeo as Director of Sales & Alliances, India & neighbouring countries to lead its growth.

     

    Amagi is the leader in geo-targeted advertising enabling advertisers to optimize their ad spends effectively. Amagi has been expanding at a fast pace and was recently recognized by Deloitte as the fastest growing media & entertainment company in APAC in 2013.

     

    For more than two decades, Jitesh has built and led high-performance sales teams in the media industry. Jitesh is known for aggresively growing market share and revenues in his previous stints. Jitesh’sprevious stint was at Zee Media Corp as its Chief Sales Officer. Prior to that Jitesh has been in various sales leadership positions with Zee group for more than a decade.

     

    Speaking on his appointment, Jietsh said, “I am convinced that Geo-targeting is the future of television and Amagi is set to occupy the centre stage in this evolving media space. I am excited to join Amagi at this crucial juncture and look forward to scaling its revenues as Amagi expands its horizons.”

     

    “I am confident that Jitesh will add the much needed impetus to our revenue growth ambition in the coming years,” said LS Krishnan, Business Head, Amagi. “Jitesh has the skill set,calibre and resolution to make Amagi a high growth company focussed on delivering value to all stake holders.”

     

  • The program enlisted four world-famous artisans to teach over 40 lessons and host live chat sessions where students could interact and collaborate in real-time

    Samsung’s ‘Maestros Academy’ receives much acclaim

    By A Correspondent

     

    Italian craftsmanship has long been considered a renowned art form. Now, in a time when younger generations are gravitating to smartphones rather than toolboxes, expertise is only reminiscent of a bygone era. Leo Burnett Milan has created an experiential campaign called “Maestros Academy” to launch the next generation of Italian artisans in order to preserve “Made In Italy” excellences using Samsung devices.

     

    The program enlisted four world-famous artisans to teach over 40 lessons and host live chat sessions where students could interact and collaborate in real-time.The instructors included Giovanni Pelizzoli – Bicycle craftsman who has supported the greatest cycling champions in the world; he also created the world’s first aluminum frame, Stefano Parrini – World renowned leather craftsman and master at the Leather School of Florence, Monica Venturi – One of the world’s most celebrated fresh pasta artisans, Alessandro Siniscalchi – Acclaimed menswear designer.

     

    After participating in Samsung Maestros Academy, many students have been presented with extremely encouraging outcomes. One student developed a smart bike in Giovanni Pelizzoli’s workshop that delivered such innovative design and tangible safety advancements that she was asked to present her creation at Milan Design Week. That’s just one of several success stories that resulted from the program.

     

    Since the project’s launch, Maestros Academy has received over one million views on Samsung Italy’s Youtube channel, and Facebook posts surrounding the initiative have reached over a whopping 4.5 million users.

     

    Maestros Academy’s popularity and overwhelming success has led to a six-week branded series that airs on the Discovery Channel in Italy.

     

  • The three-day event is is being organized jointly with the University of Mumbai and Directorate of Technical Education, Maharashtra

    Sakal group’s career fair this weekend

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Sakal Media Group has announced a three-day career guidance event titled ‘Gateway to Admission 2014’ starting May 31 at the Kalina campus of the University of Mumbai. It is being organized jointly with the University of Mumbai and Directorate of Technical Education, Maharashtra.

     

    State higher and technical education minister Rajesh Tope will inaugurate the event. This interactive programme will be telecast live in over 200 colleges in Maharashtra and over two lakh Students will participate in the event.

     

    There is no entry fee. Invited experts will guide students on filling up of admissions forms, rules and regulations, changes in admissions format etc. For details, mail: sakalgateway@gmail.com

     

     

  • 10 things that the new information and broadcasting minister must achieve… in Mediaah!

    Tasks for the new I&B Minister

     

    When news came in late last week that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was keen on integrating similar ministries, I expected the progressive, media and more importantly one of the most digitally savvy politicians in the country, to integrate the ministries of I&B, telecom and I&T. While each may have areas that need special attention, there is need to look at communication of all kinds in a focussed manner.

     

    Prakash Javdekar was appointed Minister of State with independent charge of information and broadcasting. But along with that he was given charge of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. Also shared charge of Parliamentary Affairs. One learns that environment etc will be taken away as and when someone suitable is found.

     

    Here are 10 things that we would like Minister Javadekar to achieve in his tenure:

     

    #1 Only self-regulation

    Successive governments are known to tinker with the content freedom for news and current affairs, TV fiction and advertising. One hopes that Mr Javdekar will not succumb to these pressures and like Ambika Soni will keep all the sensitive souls at bay.

     

    #2 Ban paid content

    It’s a toughie and very difficult to police, but if the BJP is keen on rooting out corruption then it must wipe out all forms of paid content. It may mean taking on the big and mighty in media, but it’s got to be done.

     

    #3 Don’t interfere in Doordarshan and All India Radio

    Doordarshan will celebrate its 55th anniversary this year, but is a sleepy giant. And All India Radio is a forgotten one. Sadly, both entities reach out to more people in the country than all the private channels. The government must allow them to run independently and allow them to run without commercial pressures.

     

    #4 Push for news on FM Radio.

    There are a countless news channels and even more cable TV set-ups so one really doesn’t understand why news on FM is not allowed. By insisting on only AIR news to be carried is pointless. The minister must allow news on FM radio and let the medium flourish.

     

    #5. Clear the mess on distribution

    The TRAI has had to work overtime on distribution and the previous regime did some good work on digitization though with some mess in execution in between. The entire country is not digitized yet, so the minister needs to push things there. Then there is the issue of carriage fees which continues to be a matter of dispute between broadcasters and distributors

     

    06. New rules of social media

    Given that the social media has seen an explosion in the last five years, UPA-2 saw it embroiled in a few controversies around the social media and whether or not it should be policed. While there can be no denying the fact that one can’t condone defamation and unfair practices online in the name of freedom of expression, the government would do well to exercise caution before taking any action.

     

    07. Don’t get bullied by Big Media

    The problem with every successive government is that they buckle under pressure from the big media players. Whether it’s on DAVP rates or land at lower rates, the government would do well to ensure a level playing field for all media entities

     

    08. Promote low budget films

    The multiple and television revolution has helped the lot of film-makers who do not have access to big money. The government must do its bit to help in supporting those without access to big monies

     

    09. Content on telecom

    While we do not like the government to interfere in industry, it must ensure that content providers get their due from telecom players who have ensured that they keep the lion’s share of revenues

     

    10. Leave the business alone!

    Measurement, 10+2 ad cap, regulation… all issues that the I&B ministry has been busy with over the last few years. These should be best left to the industry players and associations. No need for the government to poke its nose

     

  • If there's one person from the AAAI who can organise a worthwhile Goafest, it's Sundar Swamy. The IAA is supremely active thanks to his leadership and I find him exceedingly keen on doing things and he knows the art of getting things done.

    Mediaah!: Why Goafest hasn’t lost the plot and deserves one more chance

    By Pradyuman Maheshwari

     

    I write this more in response to Anant Rangaswami’s article on Firstbiz and his Facebook posts. What I like about Anant’s writing is his definite views on issues, many of which I agree with.

     

    But on Goafest, he’s been unduly harsh. His point on Facebook: Goafest has lost the plot. It’s press release offered a programme with just time slots and no mention of speakers and topics.

     

    I received the communique too, and chose to not carry a report on it because it didn’t say anything at all. It was an advance intimation of the programme, but could have been held back for a few days with some names.

     

    I also agree with Anant that Goafest in the summer is a nightmare (my descriptor, not his). Since I sweat a lot, I can say that it’s terrible even in the aircon. So, even though the event is indoors, the walk or buggy ride to your rooms could see you drenched in sweat. Your eyes could be burning all day and even the world’s best coolants wouldn’t work.

     

    Last year’s Goafest could best be described as forgettable. It had loads of negatives. The Creative Abby was a disaster (albeit for a fault that wasn’t of the organising committee). First a controversy about the Ford Figo scam ads saw the exits of some high profile staff at JWT and Ford, then the Tata Chemicals scam ads that were eventually pulled out of the competition and later the controversy around scam ads and plagiarism.

     

    Somewhere along this was the decision by Ogilvy to not participate in the Abby. Ogilvy had huge misgivings about the awards, and Ad Club prez Shashi Sinha tried his damnedest to get them back. But Messrs Piyush Pandey & Co didn’t budge.

     

    When Pratap Bose took charge as Ad Club president last year, he resolved to ensure a buy-in from all towards the Creative Abby. That doesn’t seem to have happened thus far.

     

    To add to the confusion, the AAAI delayed the Goafest announcement and later found the elections as reason to postpone the dates. Then came the news that Nakul Chopra had opted out of the Goafest chair position.

     

    Finally Srinivasan K Swamy, better known in the frat as Sundar, took charge. I’ve interacted with Sundar a fair deal in the recent past, especially as head of the International Advertising Association India Chapter of which he is the head. I believe if there’s one person from the AAAI who can pull it off, it’s him. The IAA is supremely active thanks to Sundar’s leadership. I find him exceedingly keen on doing things and he knows the art of getting things done.

     

    I am not sure how Goafest 2014 will be. I have heard people say that some regular sponsors have declined to be associated this year. But Sundar is confident of a turnaround and I think he ought to be given a chance.

     

    Yes, I do think Rajesh Kejriwal’s Kyoorius Awards with the coveted D&AD partnership, has stolen the thunder from the Abby, but there’s space for multiple awards. We’ve seen how other disciplines – radio, digital, outdoor and PR, for instance – have multiple awards and they are all doing well. So ditto with creative.

     

    I have heard some angry comments amongst industry elders about Anant’s Firstbiz piece and I was told that some pressure may be exerted on Network18 via the media agencies asking him to refrain from writing nasties against Goafest. I hope that doesn’t happen, that wouldn’t be right.

     

    Sadly, Anant’s views are echoed by many in the industry. Before Sundar’s name was announced, even I wasn’t sure whether there was any point in conducting this year’s edition.

     

    Sundar & Co have an uphill task ahead of them. But I think they need to be given a chance.

     

    The industry deserves a good, celebratory Goafest. The format, the timing and the awards are a problem. Perhaps the organising committee and AAAI need some younger blood taking the lead on Goafest. Perhaps it may be a good idea to get a professional body to conduct the show – Kyoorius, e4m, Campaign/Haymarket… whosoever.

     

    I know what I am going to do: have MxM support Goafest until before the event happens. The coverage of the conference (and the awards and the fun element) will then take over. And on that, we’ll be brutally honest about how it is.

     

  • The decision on the date has been delayed by fear of a clash with dates of the general elections

    It’s mid-Feb and no Goafest/Abby dates yet!

    By A Correspondent

     

    Arvind Sharma

    It’s the second week of February and no date has been announced for the 2014 edition Goafest , pointing to issues that the committee is facing on the dates. When MxMIndia called AAAI President Arvind Sharma late last month, he said he would announce them last week.

     

    When MxMIndia asked an officebearer about the date, he replied in the same vein: The dates will be announced soon.

     

    The reason for the delay is that the organizers want to avoid a clash with the general elections. But that an agency told us is not tenable as a reason because this is not the first time the elections have clashed with Goafest. “Do it in the last week of March or first week of April, and there will be no clash,” he said. “The question is do we have enough quality participants at the Creative Abby. And do we have enough sponsors coming in for the festival and the Industry Conclave.”

     

    What MxMIndia  has been told is that despite the absence of some of the top agencies, the event will be held.  One of the dates mooted is April 28, but that too could clash with the polls, is the worry.

     

    As has been reported, the London-based international not-for-profit D&AD has announced its intent to bring its awards with Kyoorius, a not-for-profit body which would conduct an annual design fest in Goa. TheKyoorius Awards are scheduled to be held around June 2014 in Mumbai, and the entries will be accepted with effect from March 20.

     

  • After nearly a decade a TAM and leading the crucial S-group, Praddy is expected to arm Zee with all the intelligence to be the numero uno Hindi GEC

    Pradeep Hejmadi to be Business Head, Zee TV

    By A Correspondent

     

    Pradeep Hejmadi, Senior Vice President at TAM Media, is set to join Zee Entertainment as Business Head of the flagship channel, Zee TV.

     

    While his decade-odd stint at TAM – especially the S group which was engaged in the consulting operations of the measurement company – will ensure that he steers Zee TV to the top of the heap of general entertainment channels, Mr Hejmadi or Praddy, as he is known in the trade, is no newbie in broadcast. He has held key portfolios at Discovery, Nickelodeon and Turner Broadcasting.

     

    At TAM, he reported to LV Krishnan. He is likely to take charge at Zee by mid-June, 2014

     

  • Having worked with the group for over 14 years and propelled it to the status it enjoys today, Sai has been part of all key ventures of the group

    Network18 loses Group CEO Sai Kumar, COO Ajay Chacko

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sai Kumar

    It’s been doing the rounds for a while. That post the elections, there would be a huge churn at leading media conglomerate Network18.

     

    This one though is huuuuge. B Sai Kumar, Group CEO, has put in his papers. Having worked with the group for over 14 years and propelled it to the status it enjoys today, Sai has been part of all key ventures of the group. From business channel CNBC to the jv with Viacom, the partnership with A+E Networks, the formation of IndiaCast, the licensing deal with Forbes and the very ambitious digital foray. He was also on the board of the Group’s various joint ventures. In his role as Group CEO, Sai charted out the company’s business turnaround and return to profitability.

     

    Raghav Bahl

    Commenting on the development Raghav Bahl, Founder & Editor of Network18 said; It’s not easy to describe Sai’s role and contribution to the Group. He has been one of the key pillars of the Network18 story. I am truly privileged to have been able to work with someone like Sai who has, I daresay, given the prime of his life to the growth & development of our baby called Network18, right from the days when it was a fledgling single channel operation to its evolution as one of India’s largest and most diversified and respected media companies. But there comes a time in  life when one takes a heed to one’s calling and wish Sai all the best for that.

     

    Said Sai: “Network18 has been an extension of my family. I take with me very good memories and I will always cherish the time spent here. It has been a tremendous learning ground and I thank all my colleagues for the support, passion and hard work they brought to work every day. While all good things come to an end, I see it as a new beginning and I am positive and hopeful that Network18 scales new heights here on.”

     

    Ajay Chacko

    Meanwhile, it is learnt that Network 18 COO Ajay Chacko has also handed in his papers. There are rumours that IBN Editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai may also be leaving the organisation, though there is no confirmation of the same.

     

  • The last six days have been wildly engaging, writes Shailesh Kapoor who doesn't remember a week that offered so much to watch and talk about

    Shailesh Kapoor: A Week To Remember: Politics, IPL & More

    By Shailesh Kapoor

     

    Television weeks can be fairly routine, except in periods like the Elections recently, or the week of a big-ticket cricket series. An odd launch here and there, like Satyamev Jayate, can spike interest. But in most weeks, it is the staple diet that dominates.

     

    In contrast, the last six days have been wildly engaging. I don’t remember a week that offered so much to watch and talk about, driven by politics but certainly not restricted to it. The gossip around the shift in power at Network18 has provided the off-screen masala too. But I shall restrict myself to on-screen material only. Here are my picks of TV events that dominated the week that was:

     

    1. The Swearing-In Ceremony: Swearing-in ceremonies can be dreadfully boring. But the upbeat mood around the new Government ensures that anything involving them gets people interested. The Monday that went by kept the news channels busy, first with conjectures on portfolio allocation, then with the informal but actual list of portfolios, and finally with the live telecast of the actual ceremony. The entertainment was provided by an alert President, who rebuked two ministers for skipping the oath-taking protocol.

     

    2. What A Match: The Mumbai-Rajasthan game last Sunday provided such a big dose of entertainment, it may have over-compensated for a low-key IPL. I don’t remember seeing a match ever, where a team won despite not meeting the originally-announced target. The math of it had most commentators stumped, even though it was fairly elementary, and in fact, should have been a part of the talk even while the chase was going on. The IPL is in its last leg this week, and game last Sunday will ensure this year’s IPL ends on a high – something we were not so sure about a month ago.

     

    3. Ministers In Office: In a first, media has covered ministers in the new Government taking charge better than ever before. A more pro-active Prime Minister and a young, media-savvy Council of Ministers has helped. If this week is anything to go by, we seem to have found our most media-friendly Government ever.

     

    4. Zindagi and Indo-Pak diplomacy: It can be termed as uncanny and highly coincidental. Zee’s new channel Zindagi, which plans to air content from Pakistan, was formally launched last week. As the campaign gained momentum this week, events engineered by our new PM led to Nawaz Sharif making a much-discussed India trip. Zindagi is bound to benefit from the sentiment of hope that Indo-Pak relationships may indeed improve under Modi. The photo-op between Sharif and the Essel Group Chairman Subhash Chandra was an icing on this rather intriguing cake.

     

    5. The Smriti Irani controversy – Much ado about nothing: The Congress party has started the witch-hunt for chinks in the new Government’s armour. If their attempts at creating controversy around Smriti Irani are anything to go by, they will do well to take a break from these desperate measures. Smriti Irani, the youngest member of the Modi Cabinet, has all the makings of a great minister. Her rise from a TV star to a political heavyweight may just turn out to be one of the most fascinating political anecdotes of modern India.

     

    6. Congratulations Tulsi: Did you see the Star Plus ads congratulating “hamari Tulsi”? A class act, in both idea and execution. That’s how leader brands grab opportunities that come their way.

     

    What a week!

     

    TV Trails is a weekly column written by Shailesh Kapoor, founder and CEO of media insights firm Ormax Media. He spent nine years in the television industry before turning entrepreneur. The views expressed here are his own. He can be reached at his Twitter handle @shaileshkapoor

     

  • As per IAMAI, PCI & IMRB report the digital payments industry is expected to grow at a rate of 40 per cent to reach INR 120,120 crore by December 2014

    India’s e-Commerce growth to be driven by digital payments

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Indian e-Commerce market as of December 2013 stood at INR 62,697 crore though only 25 million of over 231 million internet users transact online. And, security still emerges as the major issue for online transactions.

     

    As per IAMAI, PCI & IMRB report the digital payments industry is expected to grow at a rate of 40 per cent to reach INR 120,120 crore by December 2014.

     

    According to Asit Oberoi, Sr. President & COO – Yes Bank, “Though security is a concern for many, it is imperative to point out that the evolving and tech savvy customer today, is more confident transacting online. The digital payments industry is witnessing a steady growth and that goes on to show the acceptance of online transaction.” While global online utility bill payment hovers around 18 per cent, in India it is around 10 per cent.

     

    Speaking at the 6th IAMAI National Conference on Digital Commerce, Ravi Sundarajan, Chief operating Officer – Webaroo said that China is set to be the world leader in e-Commerce in the next 18 months. “With over 240 million online shoppers, China is set to be the new leader in e-Commerce. In China 6 per cent of retail sales accounts for online shopping and has been growing at an exponential rate in the last ten years and compared to that only 1 per cent of retail sales accounts for online shopping in India.” According to him, “If India has to become a world leader in e-Commerce, mobile apps; sms marketing has to evolve.”

     

    Speaking about engaging internet users in online retail, Nitin Bawankule, Director – e-Commerce & Online Classifieds, Google India, said, “When Google started GOSF in 2012, 50 per cent of the shoppers were first time buyers. In 2013 GOSF, 55 houses and 285 cars were sold with 40 per cent of the shoppers being women. This clearly shows how consumers are increasing spend on through the internet, though India is way behind when compared to other countries.”

     

    In the US, there are 245 million internet users and 156 million online buyers, while China has 538 million internet users with 270 million online buyers. Closer home, Sri Lanka, with 3.2 million internet users, has 2 million online buyers and Australia, which is a similar economy to India, has 20 million internet users with 11 million online buyers. Unfortunately, India, with over 231 million internet users, has mere 25 million online buyers.