ITV

Category: Brands

  • ICICI Bank launches redesigned website to enhance customer experience

    ICICI Bank launches redesigned website to enhance customer experience

    MUMBAI: ICICI Bank, India’s largest private sector bank, today announced the launch of its redesigned website to offer its customers an enhanced experience across devices such as desktops, mobiles and tablets. Users of the website can now receive location specific information and offers, view their friends’ activities, rate and review products, share their opinions on social media and take part in interactive games to enhance their knowledge about banking. The new design offers a seamless experience by auto adjustment of layout to match the user’s screen size and platform.

     

    Commenting on the launch, ICICI Bank Executive Director Rajiv Sabharwal, said: “Digital channels today account for a large part of our customer transactions. We have taken a decision to launch a new look website, which will offer our customers a unique, unparalleled experience of interacting with the Bank and help us understand their needs better, so that we can continue to provide them a world class banking experience.” 

     

    Some of the key highlights of the website are:

     

    Socially integrated: Through the ‘F-connect’ utility by Facebook, users will be able to view a dashboard where they can track their friends’ activities on the website. For instance, one will be able to see how his friend has reviewed/rated a specific product or service by the Bank. Users can also share or like a wide range of offers and discounts in the ‘Offer zone’ on social media

     

    Customised: The website understands the need of a user and tries to display content based on the user’s behavior on the site. Certain features like banners and customer care numbers are targeted and set according to a user’s location.

     

    Banking made fun: On the gaming portal on the website, anybody can play games, learn banking and earn points to be on top of the leaderboard. All games hosted are device friendly and responsive

     

    Better visual experience: Bigger banner placements across the website including product pages, which enhance visual appeal and make information consumption easier

     

    Logical and predictive search: Ability to search long phrases and auto completion of keywords

     

    Responsive: Imagery led, clean look and feel with easy reading across a wide range of devices. Navigation has been simplified to incorporate larger icons and suitable for touch screen devices.

     

    This initiative underscores the Bank’s ongoing strategy to integrate social media linkages with banking, which it forayed into last year with the launch of the world’s most comprehensive banking application on Facebook; ‘Pockets by ICICI Bank’, allowing customers to carry out a range of financial and non-financial transactions on the social media platform.

     

    The Bank services its large customer base through a multi-channel delivery network of branches, ATMs, call center, internet banking , mobile banking and social media banking.

  • Ogilvy apologises to Malala Yousafzai

    Ogilvy apologises to Malala Yousafzai

    MUMBAI: Looks like Indian advertising is coming under the radar for constant controversies. This time Ogilvy & Mather India’s series of ads for Kurl On titled ‘Bounce Back’ trigged negative conversations. The ad series features Malala Yousafzai, Mahatma Gandhi and Steve Jobs.

    The art work showcases a cartoon depiction of Pakistani young activist Malala being shot, and then miraculously coming back to life after a night’s rest on a Kurl On mattress. Social media was buzzing with thoughts that the ad is offensive at various levels. Considering the gravity of the situation, Ogilvy went ahead to undertake an investigation into process. There are no talks initiated for the other creatives that use Mahatma Gandhi and Steve Jobs as central characters.

    The official release issued by the agency on its website stated, “We deeply regret this incident and want to personally apologise to Malala Yousafzai and her family. We are investigating how our standards were compromised in this case and will take whatever corrective action is necessary. In addition, we have launched a thorough review of our approval and oversight processes across our global network to help ensure that our standards are never compromised again.”

    The agency also tweeted about the same.

    It can be recalled that last year around the same time, the Ford Figo controversial posters caught the attention of the world. JWT’s Bobby Pawar and Ford India’s Sriram Padmanabhan had to take responsibility of this and had to step down.

    So, who will take responsibility from Ogilvy? Any guesses?  

     

  • Sundev Appliances signs Raveena Tandon as Brand Ambassador for ‘Desire’

    Sundev Appliances signs Raveena Tandon as Brand Ambassador for ‘Desire’

    MUMBAI: Sundev Appliances Ltd is extremely happy to announce its association with Raveena Tandon as the Brand Ambassador for their brand ‘Desire’. Raveena Tandon will be promoting the entire range of ‘Desire’ product line consisting of Kitchen Appliances and leading all brand related communications..

     

    Speaking on the occasion Mrs. Raveena Tandon said “Managing the modern household is no cakewalk. I have a family and understand how difficult it is for the woman of the house to balance her life between work and family. The fast pace of life and the lack of time and the stress that it brings along with it means you need an ideal partner at home to understand, empathize and work with you in running your home. ‘Desire’ is my partner in running a smooth operation at home and saving enough of my time which in turn is nicely divided into work and family. I am happy and proud to be associated with Sundev Appliances Ltd through ‘Desire’ and wish them all the best in taking ‘Desire’ to every corner of India.

     

    Mr. Dev Anand, Director – Sundev Appliances Ltd said: “Raveena’s popularity and stardom is unparalleled. We are sure her personality and life which is the right balance of professional and personal success, style, substance and family orientation will take our brand to greater heights. We are proud and happy to have her on board to endorse ‘Desire’”

  • Eastern Condiments to spend Rs 20-25 crore on marketing and selling expenses

    Eastern Condiments to spend Rs 20-25 crore on marketing and selling expenses

    BENGALURU: Indian spice powder manufacturer and exporter Eastern Condiments (ECPL) plans to spend between Rs 20 to 25 crore towards marketing and selling expenses during this fiscal.

     

    The company recently brought on board FCB Ulka as its creative agency. It also has a special arrangement with the agency for media buying.

     

     “Unlike most other condiments brands, we plan to target rural India, because we see a big opportunity there. As disposable incomes go up in tier II and tier III cities, and more and more family members seek employment, even rural India will have no time to buy the condiments and then spend time processing them for kitchen use. We already see it starting to happen with edible oils and wheat flour,” reveals EPCL managing director Navas Meeran.

     

    Initially, though the push will be BTL, the company is chalking out plans for TV spots on channels like Asianet and Manorama in its home state Kerala. Media plans will be drawn for television commercials in states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, the main TG for the company for now. Other states that the company plans to target are Haryana, Punjab as also pan-India.

     

    ECPL’s revenue last fiscal was Rs 560 crore, of which Rs 150 crore came through exports, Rs 125 crore from Kerala and the balance across various markets in India. Karnataka, which contributed Rs 70 crore to ECPL’s revenues is an important market for the company. To that extent, it launched three spice mix flavours that are a part of the staple food in the state – Vangi Bath, Bisibele Bath and Puliogare Bath.
     

    “We will have campaigns in the state for these new products,” said ECPL’s other managing director Firoz Mareen. “These products are more to the local tastes and media plans are under process for a campaign here. In spices and condiments we are already the number three player.”

     

    A few years ago, McCormick & Company, the US-based global leader in spices, herbs and flavourings picked up a 26 per cent stake in ECPL. “McCormick estimated the branded and the non-branded size of the spice and condiments market in India as Rs 45,000 crore,” reveals a source at ECPL. “The approximate size of the organized branded market is about $ 1 billion (about Rs 6000 crore),” adds the source.

  • DB Corp higher PAT on higher print, radio, and digital media ad revenue, business adjustments in FY-2014

    DB Corp higher PAT on higher print, radio, and digital media ad revenue, business adjustments in FY-2014

    BENGALURU: DB Corp Limited (DB Corp), home to flagship newspapers Dainik Bhaskar, Divya Bhaskar, Dainik Divya Marathi and Saurashtra Samachar reported improved results in Q4-2014 and its board has recommended a final dividend of Rs 4.25 per share for FY-2014.

     

    Note: (1) Rs 100 lakh = Rs100,00,000 = Rs 1 crore = Rs 10 million.

     

    The company reported a higher PAT at Rs 306.6 crore in FY-2014 as compared to the Rs 218.1 crore in FY-2013, which includes a onetime tax gain of Rs 14.9 crore, on account of demerger of digital media business.

     

    The company says that its FY-2014 consolidated advertising revenue grew by 17.4 per cent to Rs 1417.8 crore as against Rs1270.5 crore is FY-2013. The company says further that its radio business ad revenue grew by 19.2 per cent to Rs 80.1 crore from Rs 67.2 crore in FY-2013 and that its digital media ad revenue grew by about 54 per cent to Rs16.3 crore in Fy-2014 from Rs10.8 crore in FY-2013.

     

    Let us look at the figures for FY-2014 and Q4-2014 reported by DB Corp

     

    DB Corp’s Total Operating Income (Op Inc) in FY-2014 at Rs1895.76 crore was 16.8 per cent more than the Rs 1592.32 crore in FY-2013. Q4-2014 Op Inc at Rs 454.17 crore was (-12.36) per cent lower than the Rs 518.20 crore in Q3-2014 and 14.08 per cent more than the Rs 398.10 crore in the last year quarter Q4-2013.

     

    Total Expense (Tot Exp) in FY-2014 at Rs 1423.72 crore was 11.94 per cent more than the Rs 1271.91 crore in FY-2013. In Q4-2014, Tot Exp at Rs 366.02 crore was (-3.48) per cent lower than the Rs 379.21 crore in Q3-2014 and 14.67 per cent more than the Rs 319.19 crore in Q4-2013.

     

    Raw Material consumption (RM cost) forms a major portion of DB Corp’s expense (Between 33 and 37 per cent of Tot Inc). In FY-2014, DB Corp’s RM cost at Rs 632.95 crore (34.03 per cent of Op Inc) was 16.4 per cent more than the Rs 544.54 crore (34.20 per cent of Op Inc) in FY-2013. RM cost in Q4-2014 at Rs 166.59 crore (36.68 per cent of Op Inc) was (-3.37) per cent lower than the Rs 172.41 crore (33.27 per cent of Op Inc) in the immediate trailing quarter Q3-2014 and 24.57 per cent more than the Rs133.74 crore (33.57 per cent of Op Inc) in the corresponding quarter of last year.

     

    PAT in FY-2014 at Rs 306.64 crore (16.49 per cent of Op Inc) was 40.58 per cent more than the Rs 218.14 crore (13.7 per cent of Op Inc) in FY-2013. In Q4-2014, PAT at Rs 7.59 crore (1.67 per cent of Op Inc) was 1.67 per cent more than the Rs 9.45 crore (1.82 per cent of Op Inc) in Q3-2014 and (-86.26) per cent less than the Rs 55.26 crore (13.88 per cent of PAT) in Q4-2013.

     

    Segment Results

     

    Printing and Publishing of Newspaper and Periodicals segment

     

    Printing and Publishing of Newspaper and Periodicals (Printing) segment contributes more than 94 per cent to DB Corp’s total revenue. During FY-2014, Printing segment revenue of Rs 1762.16 crore (94.75 per cent of Op Inc) was 17.02 per cent more than the Rs 1505.86 crore (94.57 per cent of Op Inc) in FY-2013. Printing segment revenue in Q4-2014 at Rs 421.21 crore (94.28 per cent of Op Inc) was (-12.37) per cent lower than the Rs 488.63 crore in Q3-2014 and 13.87 per cent more than the Rs 376.06 crore (94.46 per cent of Op Inc) in Q4-2013.

     

    DB Corp’s Printing segment results in FY-2014 at Rs 458.9 crore was 32.63 per cent more than the Rs 345.97 crore in FY-2013. The company’s Q4-2014 result at Rs 95.5 crore was (-32.38) per cent less than the Rs 488.63 crore in Q3-2014 and 2.35 per cent more than the Rs 93.31 crore in Q4-2013.

     

    Radio Business segment

     

    DB Corp’s radio segment reported revenue of Rs 79.45 crore (4.27 per cent of Op Inc) in FY-2014 was 19.2 per cent more than the Rs 66.65 crore (4.19 per cent of Op Inc) in FY-2013. This segment’s Op Inc in Q4-2014 at Rs 21.37 crore (4.99 per cent of Op Inc) was (-10.28) per cent lower than the Rs 23.83 crore (4.88 per cent of Op Inc) in Q3-2014 and 17 per cent more than the Rs18.27 crore (4.59 per cent of Op Inc) in Q4-2013.

     

    This segment returned a positive result of Rs 20.56 crore in FY-2014 which was 89.18 per cent more than the Rs 10.87 crore in FY-2013. In Q4-2014, DB Corp’s radio business reported a result of Rs 7.19 crore which was (-15.47) per cent less than the Rs 8.51 crore in Q3-2014 and 75.73 per cent more than the Rs 4.09 crore in Q4-2014.

     

    The other segments –events, internet and power have reported very low numbers and have eroded the profits generated by DB Corp’s Printing and Radio business segments.

     

    DB Corp managing director Sudhir Agarwal, said, “We have delivered a robust operating performance this year amidst a challenging market environment. Our focus on sustaining and extending leadership in core markets, consistent focus on operational efficiencies as well as strong performance across non-print segments have enabled us to report significant growth.

     

    The Bhaskar way of journalism places the reader at the center. Our growth strategy revolves around this philosophy and as we have successfully done in the past – we have ensured that our strategies combine ‘knowledge enhancement’ for the reader and ‘product differentiation’ towards growth. Therefore, our earlier associations with leading media brands for exclusive, unique content have started delivering exciting results. This quarter, we re-aligned our corporate sales and marketing strategy supported by key senior management appointments – with the aim of providing greater focus to advertisers at every state level. Our Un-Metro – Markets Driving India initiative extensively analysed the potential of high-growth non-metro regions with inspiring participation by marketing stalwarts across Bengaluru, Mumbai and New Delhi, have also contributed significantly towards broadening our horizons. Our Bihar-Patna launch was an exciting challenge in that region and we are encouraged by an overwhelming response and wide acceptance; while our progress in Maharashtra continues well on course.

     

    DBCL’s non-print media segments have been making strong headway as we report commendable

     

    developments across our digital and radio properties. We have been leveraging our leadership strengths in print media – extending our editorial excellence and deep readership insights to make steady progress across digital and radio platforms. We are excited with the potential of post Phase 3 licensing and are well poised to strengthen our radio footprint.

     

    While the macro outlook does remain undefined, we are hopeful that, as we move towards political

     

    certainty, the consumer sentiment will become more positive and result in better growth across sectors. I am confident that with our clear strategic focus, strong business fundamentals, superior execution capabilities supported by a talented team, we will strive towards our vision to be the largest and most admired media brand as well as active socio-economic change agents.”

  • Microsoft to go aggressive on digital

    Microsoft to go aggressive on digital

    MUMBAI: After acquiring Nokia, Microsoft has lost no time in launching the Nokia Lumia 630 in India in the affordable segment. Single SIM and dual SIM variants of the smart phone are available for Rs 10,500 and Rs 11,500, respectively.

     

    An Economic Times report earlier this month said that Microsoft was targeting the $50-billion affordable handset market globally, with special focus on emerging markets, including India, where 80 per cent of the market leans towards smart phones priced below Rs 10,000. With the launch of the Nokia Lumia 630, Microsoft is certainly prepping to give other handset makers a run for their money.

     

    Nokia Lumia 630 is the first device in India with the latest Windows Phone 8.1 OS. This is significant as various media reports have said that Windows Phone is the fastest growing ecosystem in the smart phone market and research firm IDC has even said it was the third biggest OS in the fourth quarter of 2013.

     

    Not surprisingly, expectations from the Nokia Lumia 630 are much higher as compared to the price at which it is positioned. To attract consumers, the brand has rolled out special offers which include 3G data for 2 months (1GB limit) from Vodafone, a 2 month subscription for Box TV and eBooks worth Rs 2,000 from Flipkart.

     

    Nokia India Director-Sales Raghuvesh Sarup mentioned that the brand will soon roll out a television and print campaign to market this product. Apart from this, Sarup said that the brand is expected to push around 50 per cent of its communication via digital. Interestingly, the blogger community will be involved frequently in the coming days.

  • Lloyd Mathias is now Hewlett-Packard India’s CMO

    Lloyd Mathias is now Hewlett-Packard India’s CMO

    MUMBAI: Hewlett-Packard India had roped in Lloyd Mathias as the chief marketing officer. Mathias has replaced Ranjivjit Singh who recently quit the company. He will head marketing for HP’s personal computer and printer segment.

     

    Mathias is back to leading a marketing team after rolling out his entrepreneurial venture, Green Bean Ventures, in 2012. On his comeback Mathias mentioned, “It feels good to be back to the corporate grind after trying to be an entrepreneur!”

     

    With over 24 years of experience, Mathias has worked across various sectors which include telecom, consumer goods across in India & South Asia. Mathias has been associated with brands like Onida, United Spirits, PepsiCo and Motorola.

  • HT Media PAT up 24 per cent in FY-2014; Radio operating results triple

    HT Media PAT up 24 per cent in FY-2014; Radio operating results triple

    BENGALURU: HT Media Limited (HT Media) reported a 23.79 per cent jump in PAT in FY-2014 to Rs 207.53 crore (9.43 per cent of Total Operating Income or Tot Inc) as compared to the Rs 167.65 crore (8.18 per cent of Tot Inc) in FY-2013. The company’s radio segment reported a tripling (2.83 times) of operating results to Rs 20.96 crore in FY-2014 as compared to the Rs 7.40 crore in FY-2013. This segment seems to be going from strength to strength as it had reported a negative result of Rs (-4.38) crore in FY-2012.

     

    In Q4-2014, the radio segment result at Rs.4.81 crores was (-38.25) per cent lower than the Rs.7.79 crores in Q3-2014 and 4.58 times the Rs 1.05 crore in Q4-2013.

     

    Click here for the full report

  • Turning boring into fun, while spreading a message

    Turning boring into fun, while spreading a message

    MUMBAI: The brand which follows its corporate social responsibility (CSR) to the T has launched another campaign to promote healthy lifestyle.

    After ‘Help a child reach 5’ campaign from Lifebuoy, germ protection soap from the house of Hindustan Unilever (HUL), comes ‘Jump Pumps’. An on-ground activation to raise awareness about hand washing was based on the insight that more than 2 million children losing their lives to diarrhea every year.

    Time and again, Lifebuoy has implemented several innovative programs to create a habit change for hand washing amongst children as well as to raise awareness about the five critical hand washing occasions in a day.

    HUL general manager (skin cleansing) George Koshy says, “Lifebuoy has a proud history of being a brand that stands for saving lives. It is indeed our mission to ensure that hand washing with soap becomes a habit for children, as a step to reducing diarrheal mortality. The ‘Jump Pump’ activation is an innovative approach that is appealing to children by making it fun and enjoyable.”

    In April 2014, Lifebuoy chose the occasion of the mid-day meal to convey this message. India’s mid-day meal scheme feeds over 120 million children a day, making it the perfect opportunity to address the maximum number of children across schools, at the actual moment of truth.

    Across many rural schools, the FMCG giant in the country found that children were not washing hands before having lunch, despite the availability of soap. The old & heavy hand-operated pumps are the only way to access water in these schools, and hence young children find it difficult and tiresome to operate them.  The challenge before the company was to create an intervention on this key barrier.

    Click here to watch the video

    So, it came up with a simple idea – turn the boring and cumbersome hand pump into a fun game!

    HUL installed specially-crafted rocking horse, made from a combination of wood and metal with a simple screw-on mechanism, on to the handles of these hand pumps in schools – transforming them into ‘Jump-Pumps’.

    At lunchtime, when children headed out of class for their meal, they were taken by surprise by this colourful addition to their school premises. The concept and the proper technique of washing hands with soap along with putting up posters at prominent spots in the school to explain the “Jump Pump” game was then explained to the kids. Apart from this, Lifebuoy soap was also provided to ensure soap availability throughout the activation period.

  • Mahindra Holidays Sales & Mktg spends during Q4-2014 Rs 52.53 crore

    Mahindra Holidays Sales & Mktg spends during Q4-2014 Rs 52.53 crore

    BENGALURU: Mahindra Holidays & Resorts (India) Limited (Mahindra Holidays) spent Rs 52.5268 crore (24.03 per cent of Total Income or Tot Inc) towards Marketing and Sales Promotion (S & M) during Q4-2014, which was 1.47 per cent more than the Rs 51.77 crore (27.33 per cent of Tot Inc) during the immediate trailing quarter Q3-2014 and 5.75 per cent more than the Rs 49.67 crore (24.77 per cent of Tot Inc).  The company has the brand Club Mahindra.

    Note: Rs 100 lakh = Rs100,00,000 = Rs 1 crore = Rs 10 million

    Mahindra Holidays S & M spends during FY-2014 at Rs 191.50 crore (24.63 per cent of Tot Inc) was 4.22 per cent more than the Rs 183.74 crore (26.19 per cent of Tot Inc). Over a nine quarter period starting Q1-2012 to Q4-2014, Mahindra Holidays S & M average ad spends has been 25.83 per cent of Tot Inc. While in terms of rupees spent, S & M spends show a slight upward linear trend during these nine quarters, in terms of percentage of Tot Inc, the linear trend is downwards. Similarly, over a three year period starting FY-2012 until FY-2014, the trend in absolute rupee terms has been upward, while in terms of percentage of Tot Inc, the trend is downward. Please refer to Fig 1 and Fig 1A below.

    The company reported a PAT of Rs 24.39 crore (11.15 per cent of Tot Inc) in Q4-2014, which was 20.09 per cent more than the Rs 20.31 crore (10.72 per cent of Tot Inc) in Q3-2014, but (-21.15) per cent less than the Rs 30.93 crore (15.42 per cent of Tot Inc) in Q4-2013. In FY-2014, Mahindra Holidays PAT at Rs 94.53 crore (12.16 per cent of Tot Inc) was (-11.63) per cent less than the Rs 106.98 crore (15.25 per cent of Tot Inc) in FY-2013.

    Mahindra Holidays Tot Inc in Q4-2014 at Rs218.62 crore was 15.4 per cent more than the Rs 189.44 crore in Q3-2014 and 9.02 per cent more than the Rs 200.54 crore in Q4-2013. In FY-2014, the company’s Tot Inc at Rs 777.52 crore was 10.83 per cent more than the Rs 701.55 crore in FY-2013. Please refer to Fig 2 and 2A below.

    The company says that it follows a two-pronged strategy – It provides a variety in holidaying options by rapidly increasing unique location footprint and attempts to enhance service levels and delight the customer at every touch point.

    Mahindra Holidays chairman Arun Nanda said, “I am happy to share that the month of March 2014 recorded the highest ever membership sale in the history of the company. We see this as the beginning of the next phase of growth for the company. However a lot remains to be done in the area of cost rationalization and productivity enhancements.”