MxMIndia

Tag: debrief

  • A fine example of how smart execution is critical to communication. There's no storyboard out here really, it's simply the joy that comes from watching fabulous human bonding. And wonderful performances from both the actors.

    Debrief: Cadbury Oreo: The importance of execution

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    A truly refreshing commercial. Fantastic presentation of father/daughter bonding. There is no idea as such in the new Cadbury Oreo commercial, but the powerful execution gives it a huge lift.

     

    In the TVC, a male exec arrives home. The wife is missing, so his little daughter role plays her mum. And pretends to serve daddy a Cadbury Oreo as if she has laid out a dinner spread for him. And all that happens in the ad is a super, very engaging interaction between the two. Cannot be described in words, you simply have to watch this one.

     

    A fine example of how smart execution is critical to communication. There’s no storyboard out here really, it’s simply the joy that comes from watching fabulous human bonding. And wonderful performances from both the actors. The little girl is totally cute, and the dad plays a subtle role. This contrast works brilliantly. (Imagine the over-acting Shahrukh Khan might have done in this commercial. He would have killed the emotion.)

     

    [youtube width=”400″ height=”200″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfFlaavmqSU[/youtube]

    One more thing: I don’t know if this was intended, but a little beti playing her mommy strikes you subliminally. You are subconsciously left wondering if the man’s wife is no more, or that maybe she’s left him. Or it could be that she’s too busy building her own career. Any which way, that untold angle endears you even more to the father/daughter team. You feel happy for this little family.

     

    Full marks to the ad filmmaker. This is his/her film.

     

    Rating: (On a scale of 1 to 5): 4. Superb direction and acting.

     

  • The idea worked earlier, and it works now. The only question is this: Is it completely ethical for the marketer to ride on a player's rather serious illness?

    Debrief: Birla Sun Life: Topicality enhances efficacy

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    Last year, Birla Sun Life ran a TV campaign where some cricketers expressed their career insecurities. I recall reviewing that work, and had quite liked it. Mainly because of the message extension: If loaded cricketers can worry about their future, we middle class wallahs should be alarmed. This was also the first campaign in India where celebs spoke like ordinary citizens. Some people will recall Yuvraj Singh’s famous words: “Jab tak balla chal raha hai, thaath hai. Jab balla nahin chalega toh….”

     

    Well, Birla Sun Life is back with Yuvi. And this time the idea works even better because soon after the World Cup win, our hunky batsman was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour. This meant he was left out of the team. (Though the up-side is that Yuvi must be secretly thankful for not being a part of the team that’s been badly humiliated in recent times.) In the commercial, the cricketer once again expresses apprehensions over an uncertain future and the need for insurance. And he also alludes to his sickness.

     

    [youtube width=”400″ height=”200″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtJ8qM-o3J4[/youtube]

    Well, the idea worked earlier, and it works now. The only question is this: Is it completely ethical for the marketer to ride on a player’s rather serious illness? And, is it correct for the player to play along with this idea? Is it the case of being opportunistic? To be honest, there are no easy answers to this one. I would only say that Birla Sun Life has played a clever card out here. And since Yuvi didn’t mind the marketing ploy, that should be fine, I guess.

     

    Rating: (On a scale of 1 to 5): 3. Clever use of human tragedy.

     

  • Vodafone must realize that simple need not be boring.

    Debrief: Zzzzrfan Khan

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    Vodafone has decided that people with, let’s just say ‘limited means’, but with a mobile phone in hand must do more on their phones than just talk.

     

    This makes sense. A whole lot of Indians at the bottom of the telephony pyramid use basic handsets and are averse to experimenting with features. They are happy to use it purely as a speech device. If some of them convert and do more voice-based things, it expands the market. So no issues with the strategy.

     

    In order to communicate this to the lower end of the consumer spectrum, Vodafone has gone back to the ‘aam aadmi’ actor: Irrfan Khan. A series of TV commercials have been unleashed. I watched two. In one, the actor cribs that people invite him to parties just to get an update on the latest Bollywood gossip. And he says they should use their Vodafone connection for their gossip needs. In the other one he complains that his missus cooks cauliflower all the time. When all she has to do is use Vodafone to learn new recipes.

     

    Now while I understand that the intent is to keep the communication simple given the target audience, that does not mean the ads have to be dull and witless. The problem is the scripts aren’t funny, and the continuous stand up drone of Khan can get really irritating after a point. And even if you are the sort who smiles at such stuff, you will not do so on the second exposure. Also, for some strange reason, Irrfanji mumbles his way through the ads, as if they woke him from deep slumber. I had to watch the ads many times to even comprehend what the man is saying.

    Bring the Zoozoos back, I say!

     

     

    Rating: (On a scale of 1 to 5): 1. Only good for putting you to sleep.   

  • The new Birla Sun Life Insurance campaign objective is to reiterate the philosophy to leave nothing to fate

    AdStrat: Birla Sun Life leaves nothing to fate

    The Campaign: Birla Sun Life Insurance Protection Solutions Campaign

    The Client: Birla Sun Life Insurance

    The Agency: JWT

    The Brief: The campaign objective is to reiterate the philosophy to leave nothing to fate. The communication would center around the proposition of fulfilling responsibilities towards one’s loved ones. The tonality and messaging of the TVC and the campaign throughout is both empathetic and a friend who knows what’s best for you, thereby attempting to move him into action, more effectively

     Any specific advisory from the client: Manage the task of sensitizing the consumer to the uncertainties or fragility of life without putting them off.

    Research insights:  Consumers today are becoming more confident and optimistic about their achievements. They have the zest to achieve everything, however there are little efforts towards securing or insuring these achievements against any unforeseen circumstances. Thus it was observed that there is a further need to infuse a sense of urgency towards insurance planning and protection in the otherwise optimistic, confident Indian consumer who tends to leave his dreams to fate/destiny. The average Indian’s apathy and inertia is evident from the fact that the pure protection category merely contributes to just 3% of the total industry premium. This brings to fore the reality that a large population base is leaving their dreams to fate or destiny.

    The thought process behind the creative: The communication aims to create an emotional connect and empathy with the aam aadmi, by showing a slice of life situation which can happen with any young couple staying in metros or small towns. They share each other’s dreams and are thinking about their future, which they are eagerly looking forward to – just when they come face to face with the unpredictability of life.

    Media vehicles chosen: The TVC has been on air since November 04, 2011 and is being played across all leading television channels. In the time to come you will witness an array of initiatives that will help BSLI reach out across the country with the theme of ‘safety, security and protection’. These will span television, radio, outdoor, below the line and digital media.

    Key issues kept in mind while executing the ad: The attempt here is not to challenge the consumer’s confidence (and switch him off), but sensitize them in a thought provoking way that spurs him to act.

    Does the treatment do justice to the brief? The commercial certainly breaks clutter through its neat execution. It is based on a very thought- provoking insight – can you leave your dreams to fate? There is a moment in the film that shakes the viewer into thinking. On a day just like any other, a young couple narrowly escapes a brush with death. Call it luck by chance, destiny or fate; it does shake up the couple in the film and the viewer. The differentiating factor of the ad is its very real and slice of life feel. There is absolutely nothing ‘ad-dy’ about the ad. The couple are just like any young couple with dreams, the day is just like any other, but then something happens that makes it a day very unlike any other.

    Differentiating factor: Everything about the ad is natural and candid, and it still succeeds in driving home the point. Natural acting,  no stars, a sudden realization through the shock and a simple message ‘Kahin aap apne sapno ko kismet par to nahi chor rahe’ towards the end, makes it an appealing and relevant communication. The ad carries an emotional realization for everyone including individuals from towns and villages who come to cities with big dreams and aspirations but tend to ignore something like insurance and their own protection

    Campaign credits

    Creative Agency:                                         JWT India

    Director for the film:                                    Amit Sharma

    Production House:                                      Chrome Pictures

    Media Planning:                                          Mindshare

    Language:                                                   Hindi / other regional

    Duration:                                                     45 seconds

    National Campaign Launch:                         4th Nov, 2011

    JWT Team that worked on the film:

    Creative: Tista Sen, Nandita Chalam, Dipesh Kowarkar, Siddharth Joglekar, Kunjika Talpade

    Servicing: Samarth Shrivastava, Swati Bobde, Vineeta Sukhija, Amita Servaia

    Planning: Rajesh Mehta

    [youtube width=”400″ height=”250″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RTwNe38qls[/youtube]
    [vimeo width=”400″ height=”250″]http://vimeo.com/31714764[/vimeo]

     

  • Vijay Mallya has fallen into a self-created trap. Because the Kingfisher airline is a brand extension of the high selling and very profitable Kingfisher beer, it must carry forward the brand values of the latter.

    Debrief: A wing and a player

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    Many experts (and non-experts!) have given us their views on the Kingfisher airline mess. Many reasons why the airline is in trouble have been speculated upon. And all this while the man in the hot seat, Dr Mallya, only posts pissed-off tweets. But doesn’t tell us what really is going on.

     

    Here’s my theory, and I put it out despite the fact that I know as much about the airline industry as Rakhi Sawant knows about nuclear physics. And I do so because I believe the main problem isn’t really about the business itself, it’s about branding.

     

    Yes, Mallya and gang have messed up on the running of the company. Yes, they could have handled flight scheduling better. Yes, they should have hired better talent at the top, and yes, the government’s unhelpful policies have added to their woes. But the real problem is that Dr Mallya has fallen into a self-created trap. Because the Kingfisher airline is a brand extension of the high selling and very profitable Kingfisher beer, it must carry forward the brand values of the latter. Any deviance from those would hurt the beer brand, because they share the same identity.

     

    Now, Kingfisher beer is synonymous with good life and high living. And has been so for many years. If the airline goes totally cheap and down-market, it runs contrary to the mother brand’s values. I suspect this is the battle that Dr Mallya lost, because it has conflict embedded within. With the downturn in the economy, spiraling cost of fuel, heavy taxes on airline travel and some serious competition in the sector, downgrading Kingfisher airline, cutting off all the frills, was the order of the day. What Dr Mallya did instead was to spend more on comfort, food, service and entertainment. And sent the operational costs crashing through the roof. He HAD to do this because the Kingfisher brand = Good life. He had no choice. Dr Mallya cuts the good life on the airline, it comes straight back to haunt his cash cow Kingfisher beer.

     

    Make no mistake about this: Dr Mallya is no spring chicken when it comes to dhandha, he runs a massive, very profitable liquor empire. He knows a lot about costs, revenues and bottom-lines. Where he went wrong was in the branding strategy. That trapped him big-time. He ought to have coined a new, independent brand name for the airline. A stand-alone brand that fights its own battles and is unburdened of any legacy. In which case Dr Mallya could have taken tough decisions on his airline. He could have gone really low-cost, and may well have been saved from the miseries he’s facing today.

     

    Perhaps he should have called it ‘Deepika’ airline. His equally flamboyant son would have approved! 🙂

     

    ***

     

    PS: Very happy that the media left Baybee Bachchan alone. Maybe Justice Katju has got to them. Maybe the broadcast editor’s guidelines were taken seriously. Maybe an earlier post from me opened their eyes (hee hee). Whatever. But this incident could well be a turning point for Indian journalism. Let’s hope so!

  • If a trainee copywriter came to me with such a script, I would recommend the chap to a psychiatrist.

    Debrief: Unbelievably silly of Volkswagen

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    So, the madness that Volkswagen is notorious for in the print medium (remember speaking newspapers and pages with holes?) has spilled onto the television medium. Except, while the print madness at least got the brand to be discussed, the TV ad is so stupid, you can only scoff and wonder what the hell the Volkswagen guys are up to.

     

     

    The commercial I watched deals with some ‘unbelievable’ offers on their two brands, Vento and Polo. It features a cross dresser at the car showroom, and he/she keeps harassing the salesman about the offers. And the latter, quite exasperated, berates the customer for repeatedly asking the same questions. This weird exchange goes on. The idea is this: Because the offers are so incredible, you won’t believe them and shall keep confirming them at the showroom.

     

    Completely ridiculous advertising. While I am all for mad, it has to be fun mad and not juvenile mad, if you know what I mean. Not only does this ad repel you, it also tells you Volkswagen thinks their consumers are morons and that the company salesmen have the right to treat them poorly. Let me also add this: If a trainee copywriter came to me with such a script, I would recommend the chap to a psychiatrist.

     

    Rating: (On a scale of 1 to 5):  A BIG ZERO. The joke’s on Volkswagen. 

  • Anil Thakraney finds the new Hajmola ad quite a flop show.

    Indigestion!

    Dabur Hajmola: Ad hazam nahin hua!

    Dabur has come up with a very ambitious idea in an effort to expand the market share for its digestive tablet brand, Hajmola. So far, if I recall correctly, the tablet was pitched at the over-eaters and the greedy pigs. But now Dabur wants you to have a Hajmola after every meal and snack! In short, they expect to net a whole lot of new consumers, many of who may never even have heard of the brand.

    Now when marketers attempt such a Himalayan task, it’s paramount that the advertising shines for them to harbour any notions of success. Sadly, Dabur has released a safe, dull, regressive commercial for Hajmola. It’s back to the ‘Desh ka choice’ route of the eighties. The commercial features all sorts of people eating all sorts of things and then topping it all up with a Hajmola. From burgers to paani puris to idlis to samosas to kebabs. ‘Hajmola kare khana complete’ is the new tagline.

    Total flop show. A tired idea and an even more tired execution. This is the sort of stuff we have seen over and over again. When what was needed out here was some advertising magic to go with such an ambitious project.

    Rating: (On a scale of 1 to 5): 0. Got a bad digestion!

  • Full credit to the ad agency for making Birla Cement’s comatose promise come alive.

    Debrief: Berserk advertising

    By Anil Thakraney

    A very boring product offer: Use Birla Cement Wall Care Putty to prevent your walls from chipping and flaking. It’s the sort of brief that would put many creative directors to sleep. Given that, full credit to the ad agency for making such a comatose promise come alive.

    The commercial features a man combing his hair as he notices that his pet parrot has started ‘shedding dandruff’. Panicked, the chap informs everyone in the neighbourhood, and it quickly becomes a huge story. Naturally, television channels get into the act, and soon the whole of India is mystified by the parrot that sheds dandruff. Finally, the parrot spills the beans. The chipping walls in the house have flakes falling on its head, which results in the parrot having to constantly shake its head to dust them off. Like dandruff. The message: ‘Chahiye papdi se chhutti, lagao Birla White Wall Care putty’.

    [youtube width=”375″ height=”250″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElTzNnl2qXw&feature=related[/youtube]Good fun, I am all for the absolute madness in this commercial. A dull product like wall putty needs some serious clutter-breaking advertising in order to get noticed. And Birla Cement has achieved that. Also, the TVC nicely reflects the dumbing down of the television media, and that makes the ad even more entertaining. Wonder if editors of channels like India TV, Star News and Aaj Tak would cringe a bit when they broadcast this ad. They should.

     

    Rating: (On a scale of 1 to 5): 3.5 Good example of how to get excitement going on a boring product.

  • I like the idea of taking a quiet break from life, of taking some time off on a hurried day. And a nice, delightful dessert goes well in that situation.

    Anil Thakraney’s Debrief: Nice idea

    McDonald’s has launched an icy new dessert called McFlurry. I did try it out the other day and was left quite unimpressed. Would like to discuss that in detail, but since I don’t get paid to do food reviews, let’s cut to the chase.

     

    The idea is ‘Slow down in life with McFlurry’. The commercial features very busy people taking a leisurely break over a McFlurry. Essentially corporate execs and other rushed souls. I like the idea of taking a quiet break from life, of taking some time off on a hurried day. And a nice, delightful dessert goes well in that situation. The execution is cool, too. A laidback jingle, assorted people cooling off… the commercial does catch the spirit of slowing down. The situations could have been more interesting, but that’s fine. That can be corrected as the idea evolves. So, all in all, a good one.

     

    However, here’s a request for McDonald’s: They must make it clear that the McFlurry is a ‘take-away’ dessert that people must purchase and scoot. And that’s because youngsters and families often spend hours doing time-pass at McDonald’s over a single Fanta, happily ignoring the long queues outside. And forgetting that McDonald’s is a ‘fast food’ joint. With ‘slow down’ as the message, I fear these guys will hang out over a McFlurry for hours together!

     

    [youtube width=”400″ height=”250″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3tK9K6W_po[/youtube]
     Rating: (On a scale of 1 to 5): 3. Good idea. Neat treatment.

     


  • Micromax is notorious for over-the-top and often offensive advertising, so this commercial came as no surprise to me.

    Debrief: A shining ad!

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    Here’s the Micromax ad that did not leave actor Shiney Ahuja very amused. And he’s taken legal action against the advertiser.

     

    Now, Micromax is notorious for over-the-top and often offensive advertising, so this commercial came as no surprise to me. It sits in well with their brand personality. A young lady excitedly tells her female friend that her hubby, whose name is Shiney, has bought her a new Micromax Bling handset. And she’s surprised to find that the naughty Shiney has bought the same instrument for her pal too. But she gets the shock of her life when the housemaid declares Mr Shiney has bought one for her too!

     

    Hahaha. I think the ad is very funny and very Micromax. I like advertising that cleverly ties in the brand’s message with current affairs. It just makes the communication that much more engaging. It’s a pity that Shiney Ahuja lacks a sense of humour. Also, if he had kept quiet, some people would have noticed the ad. Now that he’s protested, many more will. Enjoy!

    [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBascDwOIiQ[/youtube]

    Rating: (On a scale of 1 to 5): Full 5! I am still laughing! 

  • How do I gift stuff to anyone if all my savings have been burnt on getting KLPD*? Still, three ads caught my attention.

    Debrief: The Diwali Special

    By Anil Thakraney

    Diwali special

     

    Not much Diwali themed ad action this season. Guess because the sentiment is a bit dull in the market place, thanks to the heavy inflation. How do I gift stuff to anyone if all my savings have been burnt on getting KLPD? *(For the one-track mind wallahs, that’s Kerosene, LPG, Petrol, Diesel.)

    Still, three ads caught my attention. The Cadbury’s ad I have already dealt with earlier. The other two are from Coke and Big Bazaar.

    `

    [youtube width=”320″ height=”200″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfH9hm9Ea7o[/youtube]
    Rating: (On a scale of 1 to 5): 2. Only for the jingle. Watch this commercial with your eyes shut, and it works rather nicely!

    Coke: Great audio, poor video

    To begin with, there’s no direct connect between a soft drink and Diwali. No one gifts a cola on D-day. Unless, of course, very subtly the Coca Cola guys are asking us to do just that, since we are all so bloody broke! Coke’s ad wants us to light ‘two extra diyas’ this Diwali. I suppose this is an extension of their ‘open happiness’ idea. And the execution involves kids lighting diyas at their regular haunts. College canteen, girls’ hostel, on the wall that serves as ‘stumps’ for their cricket matches, etc.

    I think it’s a nice idea wasted on juvenile imagery. Coke should have taken the ‘share happiness’ route and come up with situations that are touching and emotional without being heavy. ‘Khushiyaan baanto’ as a concept lends itself to emotion very well. Even the jingle is warm and tugs at the heart. But the silly visuals leave you cold and detached. I suspect this is what happens in the desperation to feature kids at all costs. Even accepting that, surely there’s more to youngsters than canteen and cricket.

     

    Rating: (On a scale of 1 to 5): 3.5. For the advertiser’s deep empathy with the target consumers. 

    Big Bazaar: Relevant and thoughtful

    It’s a simple, no-frills Diwali commercial. And you know what? It works perfectly well for me. Because the idea and the execution reflect a clear and sharp understanding of Big Bazaar’s core target market.

    The TVC features a teenage girl inside her home. She looks fed up of her regular salwar kameez, and yearns for a stylish one she spots in a magazine. The setting and the casting clearly tell you this is a lower middle class household. However, her dad, who’s decorating the house, smiles and tells her: ‘Diwali aa rahi hai’. And yes, it’s time to hit Big Bazaar and get hold of that salwar kameez, and more!

    Good one. I like the fact that Big Bazaar is totally clued in on their key customers, which is the middle and the lower middle class segment. And this results in an engaging, warm, and very relevant communication. Big Bazaar and the ad agency will definitely not win any awards for this effort, but the store will surely get many footfalls this festive season. And in the end, that’s what really matters.

  • For a new online shopping portal, it’s critical to come up with a clutter-breaker, which Yebhi has done.

    Anil Thakraney’s Debrief: Wacky and effective!

    Apparently you can purchase many goodies at a new portal called Yebhi.com. (I like the brand name, very imaginative.) And ‘great rates’ is their USP. To communicate this promise, they have come up with a completely hilarious ad.

     

    There’s this lucky dude who’s hit a gold mine. Nearly electrocuted at an ATM machine, his daddykins goes through a magical transformation. The ol’ man now coughs out currency notes. In other words, he’s become an ATM machine himself. Naturally, his loser, good-for-nothing, wastrel son is elated. And the lad goes on a mad shopping binge, with his ATM daddy coughing away wads of rupees. Great idea. Every loser’s dream come true. To have a dad who’ll keep showering money, no questions asked.

     

    And the execution is wacko, it’s full-on entertainment. Full marks, I say. For a new online shopping portal, it’s critical to come up with a clutter-breaker, which Yebhi has done. Also, the message is single-minded: You don’t have to be a lucky son to get lucky at Yebhi. Should get the portal lots of hits.

     

    [youtube width=”400″ height=”300″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWpNrrImxbA[/youtube]
    Rating: (On a scale of 1 to 5): 4. I would have given it 5 if they had featured a mantri’s son. In which case the daddy works like an ATM just by winning an election. No need for electric shocks!Â