ITV

Category: Brands

  • Lenovo signs on Ranbir Kapoor as Brand Ambassador for Smartphones in India

    Lenovo signs on Ranbir Kapoor as Brand Ambassador for Smartphones in India

    MUMBAI: Lenovo today announced its association with top Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor as the brand ambassador for smartphones in India. As part of this association, Ranbir will endorse Lenovo’s range of smartphones and will feature in various television and online commercials for the brand in India. In Lenovo’s earlier association with Ranbir, he was endorsing both PCs and Tablets and will continue endorsing Tablets in this partnership too.

    Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sudhin Mathur, Director-Smartphones, Lenovo India said, “Ranbir Kapoor is a multi-talented and popular actor, who is admired across the nation. We are delighted to be associated with him, as he is an extremely versatile, endearing and stylish performer just like our range of Lenovo smartphones. We believe that this partnership will expand our reach into the consumer space and enhance the preference for Lenovo smartphones in India.”

    The stylish range of smartphones comprise, industry-leading devices suiting every need of the user right from the best camera experience to extra long battery life. Bundled with powerful multi-core processors, access to the latest apps through Android, and peerless display technology, Lenovo smartphones are poised to enhance a user’s experience.      

                                                   
    “The cutting edge technology and product design that goes into Lenovo products differentiates it from the rest. Today, Lenovo has grown into a brand synonymous with youth, style and innovation,” said Ranbir Kapoor expressing his excitement on this association. “I have been using Lenovo products for some time now and I think they are must-have possessions for people looking for technology products that fit their personality and lifestyle.”

    Lenovo will soon launch a series of TV and online commercials featuring Ranbir Kapoor.

  • Go stylish and funky this season with MTV Muah!

    Go stylish and funky this season with MTV Muah!

    MUMBAI: It’s time for the girls to splash it up with vibrant colours with MTV Muah, a new range of colour cosmetics from MTV that offers an enviable new collection for the youth. Entering into this category for the first time, MTV Muah consists of trendy, bright and funky products letting girls have fun with colors and jazz up their everyday look. Launched in association with Blue Heaven, the Indian cosmetic brand, this new range attends to the intrinsic need of every girl in the age group of 16-30 years who wishes for a radiant skin while experimenting with different looks.    

    The entire range of MTV Muah is designed to give the girls freedom to live and look their best, without slowing down! It includes an array of products like eyeliners, mascaras, kajal pencils, foundations and a variety of lip colours. With three different kits developed to create a look – Dazzle, Punk and Pop, girls will be spoilt for choice as they have fun and sizzle from morning to night. Suitable for each look, exude oomph as you go from the girl-next-door to goth, while dabbling in neon’s and metal… all this at an affordable price range of Rs.79 and Rs. 149. The kits are priced at a range of Rs. 1929

    Speaking about this new range, Saugato Bhowmik, Head – Consumer Products, Viacom18, says, “India is a burgeoning market for beauty and cosmetic products. With the launch of MTV Muah, we attempt to explore yet another category which is in a high emotional involvement zone. As new trends in cosmetics make waves each season, the youth like to experiment and have fun. MTV MUAH helps them do just that! Also the affordable pricing makes it a great buy.”

    Ramandeep, Managing Director, Blue Heaven, says, “Blue Heaven has constantly tried to reinvent itself and keep pace with the ever-changing cosmetic trends. With the launch of MTV Muah, we reach out to young consumers who believe in constantly changing their looks depending on their mood. This range will help them don various looks and look glamorous. Also MTV being a youth leader helps us to reach out to a larger audience.”

    Funk, style and glamour… MTV Muah is an answer to every girl’s woes. The water proof and smudge proof Eye Liner by MTV Muah comes with a soft nylon brush for fine line drawing and dries quickly giving an instant matte finish. The Mascara gives the lashes a thicker and healthier look as the brush allows easy application with curl retention to last for a longer duration. A must-have in every Indian woman’s make-up kit, the Kajal is lead-free, smudge proof and retractable with the help of a sharpener. The Foundation comes with an oil-free matte finish which gives a velvety sensation to the skin and is also water proof. Also, the finely ground pigments in the foundation blend into the skin easily to give high coverage.

    The Lip Colour variants give the perfect gloss while staying longer. Complete with sunscreen and vitamins to protect lips from dryness, they come in a range of colors for every skin tone. MTV Muah also offers a wide range of Nail Paints, from matte and glitters to neons and metal.

    The launch will be supported by a 360 degree marketing campaign across print and online platforms.So girls, get your fashion fix as you look your glowing best with MTV Muah. Grab your colors now at leading lifestyle retail outlets!

     

  • Deepika Padukone to endorse ‘Melange by Lifestyle’

    Deepika Padukone to endorse ‘Melange by Lifestyle’

    NEW DELHI: Deepika Padukone, who is gradually making a niche in television commercials with her lively style, has been picked up as the brand ambassador by Lifestyle International for its Ethnic Wear Brand – Melange.

     

    Padukone will be the face of the brand going forward and will be featured in a new brand campaign scheduled to rollout in April across outdoors, print, digital and in-store reaching out to the primary audience of the brand which is 18 to 32 years old urban female.

     

    According to a Lifestyle spokesperson, Melange by Lifestyle has been growing at a phenomenal rate and is today a Rs 100 crore brand. Melange by Lifestyle has a presence across 40 Lifestyle stores and six exclusive stores.

     

    Landmark Group MD Kabir Lumba said “Melange by Lifestyle has grown at a phenomenal pace and has emerged as one of the most beloved ethnic wear brands in the country. We are happy to announce Deepika Padukone as our brand ambassador as she perfectly embodies the values that the brand stands for. We feel this initiative will help us further widen our appeal amongst our target audience”. 

     

    Padukone added: “Melange by Lifestyle has an amazing range of Salwar, Kurtas & Chudidars. The most amazing part about it is that it is ethnic yet so contemporary. I think it is perfect for Modern Indian Woman”.

  • Tanishq on Interbrand’s Best Retail Brands APAC list

    Tanishq on Interbrand’s Best Retail Brands APAC list

    MUMBAI: The jewellery brand from the house of Tata’s, Tanishq, is the only Indian brand to make it to the list of top 30 Best Retail Brands in Asia Pacific.

     

    The jewellery brand stands at number 13 with a brand value of $670 million.

     

    On being the first Indian brand ever to make to the list, Titan Industries Jewelery CEO CK Venkataraman said, “It is a proud and humbling moment for us to make it to the Interbrand APAC list of Retails Brands 2014. We would like to dedicate this achievement to the passionate and tireless efforts of the large Tanishq team across the country and our wonderful customers who have helped us achieve all that we have.”

     

    Asia’s consumer markets remain highly fragmented, both as a whole and within individual markets. Genuine liberalisation is patchy as best, with traditional and local retailing dominating in many markets. At one extreme, there are highly concentrate markets such as Singapore, where FairPrice commands over 50 per cent market share in the grocery category; at the other, markets such as India, where modern retail brands remain dwarfed by traditional local retailers.

     

    Commenting on India’s performance, Interbrand India managing director Ashish Mishra said, “It is indeed heartening to see an Indian brand figure in the Best Retail Brands league table. The retail space in India is experiencing simultaneous transformational influences both from the supply and demand sides. Political swings, newer business models, supply chain efficiencies, online innovations, and at the root of it all – complex new customer journeys. The resulting flux is both exciting as well as challenging. We need to adapt but without losing our core cultural resources. Tanishq has in some ways done that.”

     

    Key findings across geographies point to major retailers looking beyond their core business models in pursuit of gaining a competitive advantage, online innovation bridging the divide between in-store and online shopping, and a strategic understanding and leveraging of sales data in meeting customer needs and desires better and faster than ever before.

     

    The global Best Retail Brands report ranks the top 50 North American and European retail brands by brand value, as well as the top 30 retail brands from across Latin America and the Asia-Pacific. The report is produced in collaboration with Interbrand Design Forum, the retail experience group within Interbrand, the world’s leading brand consultancy.

     

    Interbrand Design Forum MD Dirk Defenbaugh said, “The world’s best retail brands understand the complex and challenging relationships between analog and digital and have been quick to address changing shopper behaviors. By integrating the physical and virtual, making purchasing easier, enhancing service, and using storytelling, these leading brands are re-imagining their offers, and creating unique experiences for consumers that convert browsers into buyers.”

     

    Click here for Best Retail Brands – Asia Pacific 2014 Report

  • Samsonite acquires French luggage brand Lipault

    Samsonite acquires French luggage brand Lipault

    MUMBAI:  Samsonite International has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Lipault, a French luggage brand known for its functional and fashionable designs, in a move that will strategically extend Samsonite’s brand portfolio.

     

     “Lipault is a fantastic addition to our growing portfolio of brands,” said Samsonite chairman and CEO Tim Parker.  “Lipault in many ways embodies the core characteristics that we strive to deliver to consumers: functional, lightweight yet robust, and thoughtfully designed products. Lipault is a chic and youthful brand that will allow us to engage with consumers through its signature Parisian style and vibrant colours, and will be an excellent complement to the Samsonite brand. We expect it will have great appeal with women, especially those travelling frequently.”

     

    Chief operating officer Ramesh Tainwala added, “Our substantial experience in the travel luggage industry, combined with our well-established distribution network, extensive retail presence and superior product development capabilities make Samsonite the perfect steward to expand Lipault’s respected brand to additional markets in Europe.”

     

    Under the terms of the transaction, Samsonite has purchased all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Lipault Entities for EUR 20.0 million in cash, financed by Samsonite’s internal resources.

     

     “Today is a wonderful day for the Lipault brand,” said Lipault founder and CEO François Lipovetsky. “We are very excited to see how Samsonite will develop the brand in the future and look forward to seeing the product reaching an expanding audience.”

     

    Founded in France in 2005 by François Lipovetsky, Lipault’s products are designed to meet the needs of today’s savvy travellers, featuring ultra-lightweight, smart designs, chic and vibrant colours, and constructed using luxurious but durable nylon twill fabric. The brand’s product range includes business and laptop bags, handbags and totes, and softside and hardside suitcases.

     

    Lipault’s net sales grew by 25 per cent in 2013 to EUR 6.5 million. Approximately 95 per cent of Lipault’s 2013 net sales came from France, where the brand enjoys high visibility with three company-operated retail stores in Paris, along with corners in major department stores and luggage dealers. The brand is also distributed by third party licensees or distributors in North America, the Middle East, South Korea and other markets in Southeast Asia. The company anticipates that Lipault will continue to achieve strong double-digit growth going forward by leveraging Samsonite’s industry-leading design and product development capabilities, as well as its distribution network and retail presence to significantly expand the Lipault brand in France and throughout Europe.

  • Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages elevates Gaurav Chaturvedi

    Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages elevates Gaurav Chaturvedi

    MUMBAI: Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, the company owned bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company in India, has appointed Gaurav Chaturvedi as the new Human Resource vice president.

     

    Chaturvedi is currently the zonal VP, operations, Andhra Pradesh, the largest zone for HCCBPL in sales terms.

     

    Chaturvedi will take charge from 15 April and continue to report to HCCBPL CEO T Krishnakumar. This is the first time in two decades since Coca-Cola’s re-entry into India that a senior operations manager has been designated to take over the Human Resource responsibilities in the company. Chaturvedi replaces P V Ramna Murthy, who has decided to pursue opportunities outside the company.

     

    Speaking on the appointment, Krishnakumar said, “The bottling business is exemplified by intense operations where people are the most important asset and hence it helps to have a person who has worked through operations to be head of the people’s function. Gaurav has spent 16 years in various parts of operations of HCCB and hence is an excellent fit to manage the people’s function and take it to the next level of excellence”.

     

    Chaturvedi joined Coca-Cola in 1997 and over the last 16 years has held positions of responsibilities across functions and geographies. During the course of his career with the Coca-Cola System in India, he has headed a large plant (Wada), a sales territory (Nasik), two bottling units (East UP and West UP), and set up the Operational Excellence function across the country.

     

    As a part of the vision 2020 for India, HCCBPL is focusing on becoming a world class organisation, building a culture of execution excellence and driving returns.

     

    India is a key growth market for The Coca-Cola Company and the company envisages India as amongst the top five markets at the end of 2020. India is currently, the seventh largest market for The Coca-Cola Company, globally.

  • Blue & Blues aims to be a Rs 50 crore brand

    Blue & Blues aims to be a Rs 50 crore brand

    KOLKATA: Blue & Blues, an Italian leather products brand, plans to expand its presence to other Asian and Middle East markets by the year 2015, apart from setting up new trends in leather accessories.

     

    It aims to build Rs 50 crore brand within next one and a half year.

     

    The brand was created by two Italian fashion visionaries – Francesco Lanzaratto and Fulvio Rovaris, but after the death of Lanzaratto, Kolkata headquartered leather good exporting company, Unique International, joined hands with Rovaris, to bring the brand to India.

     

     “Our aim is to create a distinct mark of tradition in this lifestyle brand vertical. We are looking at tapping other Asian and Middle East, US and UK markets by the year 2015 for expansion. We aim to build Blue & Blues as a Rs 50 crore brand in the next one and half years,” says Blue & Blues Fashion (India) director Praveen Agarwal.

     

    On the various marketing initiatives undertaken to promote the brand, he says, “The company undertakes various point-of-purchase activities to promote the brand and through different strategies they always highlight a factor which is ‘value proposition’.”

     

    Highlighting some strategic campaigns like ‘coloured leather is all about coloured skin’, Agarwal informs that Ogilvy & Mather is the communication partner.

     

    All Blue & Blues products are styled in Italy. Instead of the conventional black and brown leathers, it uses original leathers in vibrant colours like red, orange, yellow , blue, pink, golden, silver, just to name a few.

     

    When asked about the availability of the leather products, he said that the brand is available at premium MBO’s like Shoppers Stop, Landmark, Central, Lifestyle, Ritu Wears, Witco and in select boutique stores apart from standalone showrooms in Kolkata and Gurgaon. “Internationally, it has its presence in countries like Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, and Belgium among other places,” says Agarwal.

     

    The company also plans to open stores in Delhi followed by Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad within the next year, concludes Agarwal.

  • Coca-Cola launches ‘The World’s Cup’

    Coca-Cola launches ‘The World’s Cup’

    MUMBAI: With just over two months left for the biggest football bonanza to start, The Coca-Cola Company has launched a campaign to celebrate the game as a force for social good. This is the largest marketing programme in the history of the cola company.  

     

    Through ‘The World’s Cup’ campaign, Coca-Cola will create unrivalled access, participation, empowerment and conversation with the goal of delivering the most accessible and inclusive FIFA World Cup ever.

     

    ‘The World’s Cup’ will be brought to life through a number of key elements: 

     

    • ‘One World, One Game’ television and digital film created in partnership with Wieden + Kennedy Sao Paulo, brings to life the stories of four football teams from four different corners of the world who have each overcome life’s challenges through their love of the game.

     

    • ‘Where Will Happiness Strike Next’ documentary-style short films will share stories of passionate football fans that are using the game to help them triumph over adversity, in turn inspiring others to use the power of football to overcome difficulties.  At each film’s climax, the stars are surprised by Coca-Cola and a special viewing of the FIFA World Cup Trophy.

     

    • The official music anthem for the Coca-Cola 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign features vocals from Brazilian born David Correy and sounds from Monobloco – a Brazilian street band.

     

     

    • The Happiness Flag – constructed from photos and tweets submitted by fans from around the world – will be seen on-pitch prior to the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Sao Paulo on 12 June.

     

    • FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola on a journey spanning more than 92,000 miles and visiting 90 countries to encapsulate the true spirit of the campaign.

     

     

     “Just as Brazil is everyone’s country and Coca-Cola is everyone’s drink, the FIFA World Cup is everyone’s cup,” said The Coca-Cola Company executive VP and chief marketing and commercial officer Joseph Tripodi, about the brand’s new campaign for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  “Through ‘The World’s Cup’, Coca-Cola wants to celebrate real people playing football, demonstrating how the game is a force for a more inclusive and connected world.”

     

    “Coca-Cola prides itself on celebrating the power of football and the ability of the sport to bring the world together.  Football is for everyone, regardless of geographical and social boundaries, that’s why this year we are launching ‘The World’s Cup’,” added Tripodi.

     

    The visual identity for ‘The World’s Cup’ campaign will be featured on all brand communication during the tournament and represents happiness, togetherness and celebration.  For the first time, the design was created in collaboration with a street artist, employing the unique style and talent of Brazilian artist Speto.  It features the colour and characteristic designs of Brazilian street art with the faces of four young people from Brazil reproduced in Speto’s signature graphic style.

     

    The Coca-Cola Company has had a long-standing relationship with FIFA since 1974 and has been an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup’ since 1978. Coca-Cola has had stadium advertising at every FIFA World Cup’ since 1950 and is a long-time supporter of football at all levels.

  • Aircel launches new consumer initiative with CSK

    Aircel launches new consumer initiative with CSK

    NEW DELHI: With Indian Premiere League (IPL) upon us, the brands associated with it and various teams have started their campaigns.

    One of the first to do so is Aircel which has launched a consumer initiative with Chennai Super Kings – Aircel High Flyer Contest as part of its customer engagement programme.

    The contest gives lucky winners a rare opportunity to fly with the CSK team, stay in a hotel and get match tickets to watch a cricket match. Customers can relive their dream of being with all CSK players in one flight, engage with their favourite players, share their experiences and much more. With this all-expense paid offer, Aircel intends to share a unique opportunity and experience with all its prepaid and postpaid customers. 

    Aircel chief marketing officer Anupam Vasudev said: “Aircel is giving this big opportunity to its customers to have an access to be on the same flight with the Chennai Super Kings. It is a dream fulfilling experience for a fan and a memorable day of his life. We are delighted to launch this contest which is a great platform for us to connect and engage with our target audience, especially the youth. We are also launching our new ad campaign on the theme of ‘High Flyer’ which will be on air from today. We will augment the promotions through electronic, radio and digital media.”

    Apart from the bumper prize, the contest also offers customers an exciting chance to win 800 match tickets at various locations in India. Customers will also get an assured prize of local Aircel to Aircel 10 minutes talk time when they participate in the contest. In this manner, Aircel offers something ‘extra’ to all its subscribers participating in this exciting contest.

    Click here to watch the video

    All existing pre-paid subscribers who recharge for Rs 100 and above are eligible to participate in this consumer promotion. All existing post-paid subscribers are eligible if they have no outstanding balance payment on their last bill. Non-Aircel subscribers can participate in the promotion by buying a new Aircel connection, post paid or pre paid. 

    India Cements marketing president Rakesh Singh said: “Chennai Super Kingshas a long term association with Aircel and it has worked well for both the brands. With some exciting engagement contests launched by Aircel we hope that the team will receive the same support it has been receiving over these years from its fans. We are a fan driven team and all our, as well as partner endeavours, have been to bring them closer and closer to their home team.”

    Aircel will also run some interesting VAS contests for its customers during the IPL with some exclusive content – pictures and videos of CSK and IPL. Tapping into the digital world to create buzz around CSK in the social media community, Aircel launched an online engagement contest for its fans giving them also a chance to fly with their favorite team. 

  • Nike launches a digital campaign

    Nike launches a digital campaign

    MUMBAI: Be it any stadium, playground or a by-lane, children playing cricket is a common sight in the country where the sport is a religion.

    Playing on the same phenomenon, Nike has created a film called ‘Make Every Yard Count’. The film which is live on Nike’s facebook page was co-created with consumers through an active online participation and on-the-ground efforts. It has used over 1,440 crowdsourced action images of young cricketers in India who love the sport.

    Nike India marketing director Avinash Pant said, “At Nike, we understand that the cricket culture of this nation is not confined to team India and its players. It includes the millions of young cricketers who strive every day to be amongst the best tomorrow. This film is a dedication to each and every one of those young cricketers who relentlessly chase their dreams.”

    The campaign, which was launched on 22 February on Nike Cricket facebook and twitter, encouraged players all around the country to send in images and also involved over 100 photographers who travelled around the country to shoot young cricketers.

    The ‘Make Every Yard Count’ campaign aims to make the young cricketer the hero of the Nike film.

    Click here to watch the video

    The manifesto that captures the campaign idea best reads: ‘Yesterday was not good enough. Today is not over yet. Make Every Yard Count.’ 

    The digital film was created by JWT Bangalore and the song creation and sound design was done by Dhruv Ganekar and Taufiq Qureshi.