ITV

Category: Brands

  • John Jacobs aims to clock Rs 500 cr rev by March 2021

    John Jacobs aims to clock Rs 500 cr rev by March 2021

    MUMBAI: Eyewear brand by Lenskart, John Jacobs is aspiring to drive Rs 500 crore in revenue in the coming two years as it will strengthen its retail presence and expand the product portfolio by adding six more stores in next two months. The brand already has eight stores spread across Delhi, Pune, and Bengaluru. It is also aiming to set up about 50 stores by March 2021.

    John Jacobs business head Manan Duggal shared that the brand is witnessing strong growth. “We expect to close this fiscal with a top line of Rs 180 crore. By March 2021, we expect our revenues to touch Rs 500 crore.

    He added that about 40 per cent of the sales are driven by online channels, with the rest coming from offline stores.

    Last year, Lenskart had said it will invest $4 million in John Jacobs to fuel the brand’s expansion plans.

    “We are aggressively growing our presence both in online and offline. The brand is already retailing through Lenskart outlets (over 450 in more than 100 cities). The aim is to take the number of our own stores from 8 now to 50, by March 2021, covering all major metro cities,” he said, adding that the store expansion will entail investment of about Rs 10-15 crore.

    John Jacobs is also in discussions with fashion retail chains for distribution of its products.

    “In terms of online reach, we are already there on Lenskart and Amazon.in and will soon be available on Flipkart as well,” Duggal said, adding that the brand is aggressively expanding its product portfolio as well.

    John Jacobs recently introduced a new eye-wear delivery model where the brand delivers eyeglasses, fitted with powered lenses, in a 20-minute time-frame.

    The service, currently available in select stores in Bengaluru, will be expanded to Delhi and Pune as well, Duggal said. He added that with the new service, the brand expects to see 30-40 per cent upside in orders.

  • Trust to be integral part of CEO strategy in 2019: brand-comm summit

    Trust to be integral part of CEO strategy in 2019: brand-comm summit

    MUMBAI: Integrated brand-comm, a Madison Group company, recently hosted the brand-comm Summit 'The Journey from Attention to Trust' in Bengaluru where it was inferred that trust is the most relevant theme and objective of communications in 2019.

    Accenture Solutions Pvt Ltd chairman and senior managing director Rekha Menon stated that there can be a significant impact on value to a company from any compromise of trust. This is proved by the impact of the loss of trust on the revenues of companies. “Of some 7,000 companies studied globally by Accenture, 54 per cent of these organisations experienced a drop in trust. This had led to a revenue loss of over USD 180 billion. Considering these, it is essential that trust be an integral part of the CEO strategy,” she said.

    Speaking on the subject of need to build trust among consumers is integral to the success of any brand at the summit, Mindworks CEO R Gopalakrishnan said that when crisis hits, there is panic within the company and its board. Under such adverse circumstances, the role of the leader becomes integral in decision-making. However, such decisions need to be taken in sync with the DNA of the company.

    But the idea of authenticity in communication did not hit mainstream till the end of the last millennium, said Madison World chairman and managing director Sam Balsara. He spoke on how his campaign to advocate the continuity of the Parsi community in India has actually led to an 18 per cent increase in the population of the community. While the role of advertising is to make the product look larger than what it is, it is essential that authenticity gain precedence in the messaging.

    Integrated brand-comm CEO and founder Ramanujam Sridhar said that consumers have become discerning, which have led to polarisation of views. He added that consumers will become increasingly selective about what they want to see and hear in 2019.

    Continuing with the theme of authenticity, AVTAR Group founder-president Soundarya Rajesh suggested that attention, consistency and authenticity are integral to each other. She added that inclusive communication is critical to the process of creating trust.

    Community disseminated messaging on the social media has built a greater trust among the millennials and other target audiences, hence there is a need to influence this narrative that would be in line with the communication that a business wishes to convey. So, brands need to influence creating content that would influence user,” said Saundarya Rajesh.

  • TAM adex data shows Samsung was top telecom advertiser

    TAM adex data shows Samsung was top telecom advertiser

    MUMBAI: Recently released TAM Media Research AdEx data reveals that Samsung India Electronics was the top advertiser in the telecom products category on print, radio, and digital platforms for the period between January 2018 and September 2018. The brand stood third in the TV section, preceded by Xiaomi Technology India and Vivo Mobile India. Jio Phone was the top new brand on TV and radio.

    Cellular phones – smartphones category dominated telecom products with more than 80 per cent share in all media.

    The report also revealed that ad volumes for telecom products rose by 8 per cent on radio while declined significantly by 19 per cent and 53 per cent on television and print, respectively as compared to ad volumes in the same period of 2017.

    Television remained the top choice of telecom products advertisers to place ads on as the medium had 62 per cent of the total insertions followed by radio (36 per cent share). The media received highest ad insertions during Feb '18. Digital had the highest monthly ad insertions in Aug '18.

    The report also revealed that the telecom products providers preferred to place their ads more during feature films (30 per cent insertions), followed by news bulletin (14 per cent) and film songs (10 per cent).

    In terms of content, sales promotions dominated 84 per cent share of ad space with discount promotions leading the roost and claiming 84 per cent share of sector ad space followed by multiple promotion (15 per cent).

  • LOTS Wholesale Solutions opens third store in India

    LOTS Wholesale Solutions opens third store in India

    MUMBAI: LOTS Wholesale Solutions, a part of the $50 billion Charoen Pokphand Group (“CP Group”) and a wholly owned subsidiary of Siam Makro Public Company Limited (“Siam Makro”) from Thailand, unveiled its third wholesale distribution centre in India at Ithum, Sector 62, Noida. The move is in the lines of the company’s commitment to investing INR 250 crores in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

    The new store in Noida is spread over an area of 50,000 sq ft and will provide its customers with more than 5,500 assorted products in food and non-food categories. It will cater to over 40,000 business customers with a diverse clientele including Kiranas, hotels, restaurants, and caterers (HoReCa), corporates, MSMEs and institutions such as government agencies, educational institutes and hospitals from the catchment area.

    In addition to the announcement of its third store, LOTS Wholesale Solutions also launched its own brands Basic Plus and PlusMo with an aim to provide best quality products at economical prices. The first two product categories introduced under these brands are bakery items and home-cleaning.

    LOTS Wholesale Solutions managing director Tanit Chearavanont said, “Following our values of victory, we have outperformed ourselves and unveiled the third store within a span of seven months. As promised, we delivered our two stores in 2018. Uttar Pradesh was an obvious choice for expansion after Delhi NCR, owing to the proximity to the enormous market opportunity in the state. It fits well within our cluster strategy for the business in India. Aided by government support, we aim to establish an environment of mutual growth for farmers, traders and our business in the state. We will work directly with them to establish a strong supply chain and demand for their products.”

    In 2018, the company inaugurated had inaugurated its stores at Netaji Subhash Place and Akshardham. The three stores, opened within a span of seven months, will cater to a total of 1,40,000 registered customers in Delhi NCR.

  • Monkey Shoulder crowned No1 trending and bestselling brand

    Monkey Shoulder crowned No1 trending and bestselling brand

    MUMBAI: For the fifth year running, Monkey Shoulder’s commitment to the unconventional has landed the brand the title of ‘World’s Top Trending Scotch’ in the annual Drinks International report, which polls leading figures from the world’s best bars.

    The malt whisky, which is 100% made for mixing, has also been named ‘World’s Bestselling Scotch’, with the report revealing that it was the go-to scotch in 22% of bars and among the top three in 36%.

    Commenting on this, James Pennefather, India Managing Director at William Grant & Sons said: “A perfect record for Monkey Shoulder to win Number 1 in both trending and best selling Scotch in the world by Drinks International. It’s truly rewarding to be not just the desired brand amongst the bartenders but a clear favourite with the consumers. The proposition of giving consumers drinking experiences the way they like them to be, enables cheeky and playful connects with early adopters, 

  • Tata Mumbai Marathon gets Oakley, Nature Valley, GoDaddy as sponsors

    Tata Mumbai Marathon gets Oakley, Nature Valley, GoDaddy as sponsors

    MUMBAI: The countdown to the 2019 edition of the IAAF Gold Label Tata Mumbai Marathon has begun with the organisers launching it on 9 January. With a unique theme of ‘#BeBetter’ the marathon will take place on 20 January in Mumbai. The organisers announced that over 46,000 runners will be taking the roads of Mumbai for the marathon. The marathon is going to be a zero-waste event.

    The marathon has also found three new sponsors for this year’s event including GoDaddy as domains and online presence partner and Nature Valley as recharge partner along with Oakley as performance eyewear partner.

    From Nature Valley, General Mills managing director India and South East Asia Salil Murthy shared his thoughts on the partnership saying, “It makes a lot of sense for us to partner with Tata Mumbai Marathon because what the marathon stands for and what our brand Nature Valley stands for is basically the same. We want people to be more active. We (Nature Valley) are doing it in the US, where we are promoting hiking amongst the people, in the UK there is tennis, and in India, we are hoping to make people run more.”

    He went on to add, “Nature Valley has products like granola bars that are ‘delicious real recharge’. When you run a marathon you need that pick me up after a certain point of time as the distance is much longer. We hope to provide that recharge to the runners so they can reach the finish line.”

    Oakley head-sports marketing (India) Ashwin Krishnan, who is also prepping for some big launches in India in the coming months, reflected the same sentiments, “We need to go back to what Oakley stand for. We started with making grips for bicycles handles that specialised in tightening the grip as the hands sweated then we made sunglasses based on the inputs we took from several international athletes that are capable of colour differentiation and improving depth perception, etc. So basically, we aim to improve the performance of the athletes on the ground, be it while playing cricket or golf, or while running the marathon. Partnering with Tata Mumbai Marathon is in tandem with that goal of ours.”

    Speaking about the marathon Tata Sons group chief communications officer Pradipta Bagchi said, “The Tata Mumbai Marathon is the city’s way of celebrating achievement, perseverance, and commitment. The increasing participation from not just Mumbaikars in the Tata Mumbai Marathon, but from runners across the country and globe is a testament to the success of this IAAF Gold event in bringing together over 46,000 runners on one common platform every year in this city.”

    He further added, “Tata Mumbai Marathon inspires everybody to #BeBetter and is a great opportunity to engage with the community, connect with youngsters and create awareness about the importance of good health.”

    Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) vice president and country head – India business Ujjwal Mathur said, “This year has been momentous for Tata Sons, who celebrated at 150 years. And we at TCS celebrate 50 years of excellence. Like in the previous years, this year too we will have a large contingent of TCSers from across various geographies taking part in the Tata Mumbai Marathon. We will continue to raise funds for charity and create social awareness for health and fitness in the city. In the true sense, we will root for the spirit of Mumbai!”

  • Tinder study reveals Gen Z driven by self-discovery

    Tinder study reveals Gen Z driven by self-discovery

    MUMBAI: Popular dating app Tinder has done a unique study on the youth population in India revealing that the early 20s have acquired “a new meaning and cultural significance” for the GenZ. The study reveals that the youngsters in the age bracket of 18 to 25 are changing the norms of “adulting” by trying to be freer in exploring career fits, relationships, interactions, self expression, self-identity, and the direction they want their life to take. For both men and women, getting married and having kids ranks fairly low on their 5 year-goals lists and aspirations. So does accumulating assets – they would much rather collect experiences.

    The study states for young Indians in the ages of 18 to 25, ‘being myself’ is the most important priority over a five-year horizon. For those in the ages of 18 to 22, this is followed by making their parents proud (56 per cent), building strong friendships (56 per cent), finishing their education (52 per cent) and exploring the world and meeting different people (42 per cent). These priorities evolve somewhat for those in the age group of 22 to 25 years, with getting a good job becoming a key priority (56 per cent), while making their parents proud (54 per cent) and building strong friendships (52 per cent) remain strong priorities for this cohort as well.

    Tinder’s research also found that the uncertainties of this life stage are felt in more pronounced ways for women in India who have conventionally had much more pressure to adhere to social expectations and norms, and are also allowed less time than men before being asked to “settle down". 63 per cent of women surveyed indicated their desire to work hard to achieve self identified goals as a top priority.

    Speaking about the insights, Tinder India – GM Taru Kapoor said, “In our social narrative, there always has been a lot of focus on ‘goals’ and ‘successes’ – the perfect life partner, the settled career path, the house, the car or whatever it is that one aspires to. But we have never really focused on celebrating the journey that gets us there – the mishaps and the milestones, the sometimes confusing but ultimately very memorable phase of life that is unique for everyone. We want to celebrate the little wins and showcase empathy towards the struggles, dilemmas, worries, and wins of this life stage without judgment. We believe the journey is just as important to celebrate and cherish as the destination. It is the journey of growing up and discovering the world and yourself. It is an opportunity to deeply examine your values and challenge preconceived definitions of happiness, success, and possibilities. We are therefore celebrating the journey towards ‘Adulting’. Tinder is a companion and champion as we celebrate this life-phase and navigate all its unique dilemmas and problems.”

  • Buzzoka launches Influencer Marketing Outlook 2019

    Buzzoka launches Influencer Marketing Outlook 2019

    MUMBAI: Integrated influencer marketing platform Buzzoka has released the second edition of its annual ‘Influencer Marketing Outlook’ series. As per the survey, which was conducted with over 500 brands and content creators, Instagram is the primary choice of brands for influencer marketing.

    The report that tries to provide a provide holistic understanding of influencer marketing ecosystem in India highlights that 69 per cent of brands spend $ 50,000 per year on influencer campaigns, while 27 per cent go ahead to spend $ 1,00,000 per year. Out of these, 77 per cent brands see huge potential in Instagram as the primary choice for influencer marketing, followed by Facebook at 54 per cent.

    The report also forecasted a market potential for 2019 predicting that top three platforms for influencer marketing will be Instagram (69 per cent), LinkedIn (8 per cent) and TikTok (8 per cent). The increased growth in influencer marketing and successes in 2018 has inspired the brands to spend more on influencer marketing. 73 per cent brands will thus be investing more.

    Buzzoka co-founder Ashutosh Harbola said, "We are glad to unveil the second annual report highlighting the substantial facts that are driving the market growth. Influencer marketing has never been more important with the years passing by. The consumers continue to trust word of mouth versus other forms of marketing.” 

    He further stated, “Being a key player in the industry, backed by the passionate team of experts, we are really optimistic that influencer marketing has the potential to grow manifolds in the coming years. Also, we are gung-ho on the inclusion of commoners in the gambit of influencer marketing and hope a billion dollar industry is waiting in India to be explored.”

  • Mastercard drops name to rely on logo

    Mastercard drops name to rely on logo

    MUMBAI: Mastercard has announced the dropping of its name from the brand mark in select contexts. It has shared that the Mastercard Symbol, of interlocking red and yellow circles, will now stand on its own across cards. The mark will be accepted at all retail locations both in the physical and digital worlds, and major sponsorship properties.

    The decision has been taken keeping in mind the continuous evolvement of the consumer and commerce landscape. The brand believes that  the Mastercard symbol, which has been the hallmark of for more than 50 years, represents it better than one word ever could, and the flexible modern design will allow it to work seamlessly across the digital landscape.

    Mastercard chief marketing and communication officer Raja Rajamannar said, “Reinvention in the digital age calls for modern simplicity and with more than 80 per cent of people spontaneously recognising the Mastercard symbol without the word 'MasterCard,' we felt ready to take this next step in our brand evolution. We are proud of our rich brand heritage and are excited to see the iconic circles standing on their own."

    Partner at Pentagram Michael Bierut said, “We live in a time where, increasingly, we communicate not through words but through icons and symbols. Mastercard has had the great fortune of being represented by two interlocking circles, one red, one yellow, since its founding in 1966. Now, by allowing this symbol to shine on its own, Mastercard enters an elite cadre of brands that are represented not by name, but by the symbol: an apple, a target, a swoosh. Mastercard's two interlocking circles have always represented their commitment to connecting people. Now, that commitment is given greater presence by Mastercard's status as a symbol brand."

  • ŠKODA in association with Bloomberg|Quint and PHD Media launches ‘Pursuits’

    ŠKODA in association with Bloomberg|Quint and PHD Media launches ‘Pursuits’

    MUMBAI: Bloomberg|Quint India has announced its association with ŠKODA and PHD Media to produce Pursuits, a series highlighting journeys of individuals with remarkable achievements across various sectors. The 10-episode series will be launched on 10 January and augmented on multiple digital platforms.

    The series, which airs exclusively on bloombergquint.com, will capture stories of artists and activists, storytellers and curators of music, entrepreneurs and creators of change, who in pursuit of their dreams embarked on an unconventional journey and achieved something worthwhile. Identified by the Bloomberg|Quint team after extensive research and thought, these unconventional talents who share common attributes of making a difference in their respective fields, will tell their stories, to inspire others. Matt and Namrata, founders Blue Tokai Coffee, theater personality Roysten Abel, movie director Sriram Raghavan and many more, will be featured.

    For the first time ever, ŠKODA will travel across the length and breadth of the country, to tell their protagonists’ stories in a never-seen before manner. The series also breathes new life into the art of storytelling with crisp content and excellent visuals.

    Bloomberg|Quint CEO Anil Uniyal said, “We are elated to bring to India an all new storytelling experience with Pursuits. The series, much like our partner ŠKODA is all about standing out, setting new standards, and raising the bar for excellence. The idea behind Pursuits resonated with common values shared by all partners, and we look forward to the success of the show.”

    ŠKODA Auto India head of marketing and product said, “Storytelling is a part of ŠKODA’s global communication strategy. We look at human stories with elements of endeavour, dedication and achievement. The concept of Pursuits by ŠKODA fits this requirement beautifully and we are very happy to bring it to life.”

    Omnicom Media Group CEO Jyoti Bansal said, “In the spirit of finding a better way for ŠKODA to build deeper engagement with its customers- present and potential, PHD identified Pursuits – great stories of people who are ‘driven’ in different ways to realise their true potential. The premise is so fitting to what ŠKODA stands for and we are looking forward to creating a property which will set new standards.”