ITV

Category: Brands

  • Central’s ‘Happiness sale’ returns!

    Central’s ‘Happiness sale’ returns!

    MUMBAI: The most exciting sale in town is here- The Central Happiness Sale! Avid shoppers will have yet another reason to celebrate this New Year with the sale offering upto 51% off on almost over 500 brands available across Central stores in the country. Indulge in the one month Happiness sale from January to February, 2014 and avail some incredible discounts on some of the best fashion brands across various categories. Choose from a choice of apparels, handbags, footwear, watches, cosmetics and accessories.

     

    The Happiness sale caters to almost all age groups and spoils shoppers for choice offering up to 51% off on the latest fashion and accessory brands. Fashion has never been more accessible as there are great offers for women ranging from ladies ethnic, western and party wear brands like Desi Belle, Fushion Beats, Biba, Rangmanch, Rig, Scullers, Remanika, Aakruti, Honey, Oxygen to Kid’s range of stylish and chic brands like Gini & Jony, Lilliput, Chalk, and Bare Kids to name a few.

     

    Men too now have an opportunity to change their wardrobe. With great offers on brands like Arrow, Van Heusen, Scullers, John Miller, Provogue, Indigo Nation, Allen Solly. Shoppers can even avail up to 51% off on sports brands like Nike, Adidas, Converse, Speedo, Skechers, Pepe, Levis, UMM, Rig and many more.

     

    Jitendranath Patri, Marketing Head- Central and Brand Factory said, “The Happiness Sale is a great opportunity for shoppers who are looking for the most fashionable apparel and accessories this season. They get to choose from a wide range of some of the best international and National brands. There’s something for everyone at Central. This is a great time to own your style and make a fashion statement.”

     

    From ethnic to western, from sober to bold styles, from kids fashion to formal fashion – Central offers a perfect blend of fashion at the best deals to the fashion conscious shopper, the family shopper or the budget shopper.

     

    Come and experience Happiness and be spoilt for a choice only at Bangalore Central. Be delighted!

  • Peak expands international presence in NY’s Times Square

    Peak expands international presence in NY’s Times Square

    MUMBAI: The new year ushered in with good news for Peak. The Chinese sportswear brand became the first to make its presence at New York’s Times Square.

     

    In line with its vision of creating an international brand, Peak unveiled its new advertisement featuring Tony Parker and Shane Battier dressed in traditional Chinese clothing sending their New Year’s greetings. The advertisement will greet the thousands of New Yorkers and tourists from around the world who pass through Times Square until the Chinese Lunar New Year on January 31, 2014.

     

    Peak celebrated its 25th anniversary a day before the new campaign began airing. Peak founder Jingnan Xu said, “2014 will be the year for Peak to realise its international vision.”

     

    After 25 years of diligent focus, Peak has accomplished a number of key fundamental goals including naming, trademark registration, enhancing quality standards, building brand image and the internationalisation of capital. Following its success in the NBA, Peak has expanded its presence and has become an official partner of FIBA, WTA and a number of other well-known international tournament organisers. The brand has signed sponsorship agreements with more than 10 NBA players including Tony Parker, Shane Battier and nearly 30 WTA players including Galina Voskoboeva.

     

    Peak’s overseas market now covers more than 80 countries including the US, Germany and Australia, which accounts for 14.8 per cent of the total sales during the first half of 2013, making the brand leading sportswear company in China in terms of overseas sales.

  • Amul plans to expand in the US

    Amul plans to expand in the US

    MUMBAI: Amul, the world leader in producing milk products, is all set to expand its presence in North America.

     

    The brand which represents the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) will be launching variants of dairy products – yogurt, lassi and curd – in the US and Canada.

    As reported in Business Standard, the brand will be eyeing the European countries as well. GCMMF will start manufacturing ghee (clarified butter) and paneer (cottage cheese) at a plant in New Jersey from February this year. It has entered into an agreement with a local manufacturing plant which is owned by a non-resident Indian.

     

    GCMMF which exports around Rs 100 crore worth of dairy products every year to the US, West Asia and Europe may also opt to buy directly from local dairy farmers. The report in the financial paper also says that Amul will be selling its products in markets with significant Indian population such as New Jersey, New York and Boston.

  • Sudhir Deokar’s visualisation was photographically perfect: Ivan Arthur

    Sudhir Deokar’s visualisation was photographically perfect: Ivan Arthur

    MUMBAI: It was in the early 60s, I was a cub writer then, Sudhir a young tiger. Every day, I watched him roar, bold and resonant on his easel. And I cowered behind my table wondering what I was doing in a place like this? Tentatively, I handed him a line for an Esso advertisement, expecting a growl of disapproval. He looked at it for a moment and with the salivary articulation of well-chewed paan, he said: “Tomorrow.” The next morning I glanced at his easel and grew a hundred feet tall. There was my line on his layout, for sure, but barely recognisable even to me.  Sudhir had made it resonate beyond the thesaurus.

     

    He did this always. He took lines and gave them roundness, movement, dimension, resulting in halos for copywriters, account directors, clients and their brands. He freed the Air-India Maharaja from the croquill’s ruthless line and caressed him with that soft roundness. He poured sex appeal into Haryana Breweries’ beer barrels, played mid-wife to both DCM and Wipro Data Products and placed Hamdard on the medical pedestal it deserved. Name any Thompson brand from the early sixties to the Millenium year; Sudhir has gilded it with his brush. He retired as creative chief of the Mumbai office of Hindustan Thompson Associates (HTA), now JWT.

    Sudhir poured sex appeal into Haryana Breweries’ beer barrels

    He worked his magic with 6-B pencil, croquill, rotring, Indian ink, water-colours and his sable hair wand; conjuring up caricatures, cartoons, stylised drawings and life-like water colours; his 20-minute layouts often used as artwork. Artwork became works of art, clients having them framed and put up in their offices. His visualisation of human situations or tabletop was photographically perfect. When the final picture was taken in the studio, you might not be able to tell the difference between the photographed picture and the 20-minute wash drawing. Mitter Bedi, Obi, Salian and so many others would marvel at the lens that was Sudhir’s eye.

     

    For close to three decades he gave my work the visual sanctification of his brush, and I feel blessed. I know that many who came before and after me will echo my feelings. He had the bigness and breadth to work with most anyone – from trainee to guru. Many of his trainees are gurus now. I look with awe today at a generation that thrives on the digital evacuation of ideas, but I still thrill to the memory of those visual insights shaped by hand and eye by artists like Sudhir. He was loved by all – from the most cussed of executives to the most difficult of clients.

    Freed the Air India Maharaja from the croquills ruthless line and caressed him with that soft roundness

    Besides being my creative soul mate, Sudhir became a friend of the family. His passing is a deep gash that my soul will have to bear for ever.

     

    (Ivan Arthur is the former creative director of JWT, India. He can be contacted at Ivan.arthur@gmail.com)

  • Stream TV to display 4KTVs with glasses-free 3D at CES 2014

    Stream TV to display 4KTVs with glasses-free 3D at CES 2014

    MUMBAI: Stream TV Networks is all set to showcase its consumer-ready 4KTVs featuring breakthrough Ultra-D glasses-free adjustable 3D technology during CES 2014. Of the various sizes to be brought to market by the company’s brand partners in 2014, the 50″ and 55″ models will be on display at CES 2014 to be held from 7-10 January at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

    Some of the TVs will be accompanied by the seeCube-4K™, an external device that converts a wide range of content – 2D or 3D stereoscopic sources –  to 2160p glasses-free 3D in real time.

     Stream TV has ported its real time conversion technology to the new Qualcomm 8074 processor, and a second version of the TV will carry the conversion technology built into a chip, significantly reducing costs. 

    Using complex algorithms, the Ultra-D technology converts 1080p/2 million pixel content into a 4K/8 million pixel viewing experience. Users can connect their satellite or cable service, VOD, Blu-ray player, Xbox or PlayStation, as well as watch internet content from Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Baidu TV, PPStv, iQYi tv, Totou TV and other video sites with ease.

    “Ultra-D presents a never-before-seen glasses-free 3D viewing experience,” said Stream TV Networks CEO Mathu Rajan in a release. “There’s a lack of 4K content out there, but by generating millions of new pixels with depth information, we truly take advantage of what a 4K screen can offer,” he added.

  • The OMG! brand associations of 2013

    The OMG! brand associations of 2013

    MUMBAI: What’s common between Amitabh Bachchan, Katrina Kaif and Sachin Tendulkar? Well, apart from their popularity in their respective fields, they are also the most sought-after ambassadors for an entire sweep of brands ranging from FMCG, electronics, automobiles, housing, telecom, banking and what have you.

    With most products and services opting to play safe and going with ‘tried and tested’ names as brand ambassadors, the list of favourites’ doesn’t quite end with these three names.

    However, the flip side to this kind of predictability is that not only viewers can’t take it anymore but also one cannot connect the dots between the brand and its ambassador.

    For example, while Deepika Padukone’s endorsement of Vogue Eyewear was palpable, when Bachchan Sr – who sells everything from hair oil to chocolates to banking services with as much panache – endorsed Maggi Noodles, it surprised many who thought him too old to flog a product catering mainly to children and youngsters.

    However, with 2013 ticking to an end, indiantelevision.com decided to take stock of a select few brands which flew in the face of inevitability with their unlikely choice of ambassador. Here’s listing them…

    Hugh Jackman for Micromax

    This one could easily be the shocker of the year, with the Indian smart phone company getting the Hollywood actor of ‘Wolverine’ fame to sell its full HD screen device, Canvas Turbo. Are the Khans reading?

    Sachin Tendulkar for Musafir.com

    While the master blaster has been one of India’s most celebrated icons both on and off the field, after his retirement from active cricket not so long ago, there was a huge debate about whether ‘Brand Sachin’ would take a beating. Whatever the answer to that question, seeing him in a handlebar moustache, showing travellers ‘a new way to go ghoomne’ in an advertisement for a travel portal is certainly not what the audience expected.

    Mary Kom for Vodafone

    From the cute pug who follows his kid master everywhere to the equally lovable Zoo Zoos, celebrities are certainly not what one associates this telecom giant with. However, starting next year, Indian boxing champ and Olympic Bronze Medallist Mary Kom will feature in Vodafone’s new social media-led campaign ‘Vodafone Firsts’ to be activated across nearly 30 countries.

    Abhi-Ash for Prestige

    Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan were last seen in an advertisement for a bathing soap. While one can relate to the high-profile couple selling a lifestyle product, the latest commercial which sees them endorsing a kitchen appliance typically meant for the aam aadmi doesn’t strike a chord with viewers.Virat Kohli for Border Security Forces

    It’s well known that after Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli is the face of several ‘youth’ brands. But designating him brand ambassador of the Border Security Forces (BSF) is taking his popularity a bit too far. We can’t connect the dots… can you?

  • Yatra.com welcomes 2014 with McDonalds

    Yatra.com welcomes 2014 with McDonalds

    MUMBAI: With everyone gearing up for the New Year, brands are leaving no stone unturned to catch customer’s attention. From innovative campaigns to special deals, brands are using various methods to be on everyone’s mind.

     In a bid to keep its travellers happy, Yatra.com is celebrating the New Year by offering discount coupons in association with McDonald. Under this offer, customers making a purchase of Rs 25 and above at any McDonald outlet will receive a complimentary coupon having a unique code. This code can be used to avail discounts on flight booking, hotel or holidays at Yatra.com.

    Yatra.com president  Sharat Dhall said, “This is the time for festivity, cheer and sharing gifts and as we all gear up to welcome 2014, we wish to bring a smile on every face through this unique offer and continue creating happy travellers.”

     “Our cards take the guesswork out of gift-giving because this will offer something for everybody,” said HRPL senior director marketing communications and menu management Rameet Arora.  “Plus, in the spirit of the season, this gift card allows us to thank our customers for their support and add an extra sparkle to their eyes as they take away not just a great meal but happy memories too.”
    The offer starts from 27 December and will continue till January 2014.

  • Samsung is the most popular brand on social media in 2013

    Samsung is the most popular brand on social media in 2013

    NEW DELHI: Samsung was the most popular social-media brand worldwide in 2013, according to Starcount, which compiled data across Facebook, YouTube and other sites to come up with its top 10 list.

    Although Samsung was not the most popular brand on any particular social network, it earned 16 million new followers across multiple platforms in the past 12 months — enough to get data aggregator Starcount’s top spot.

    Walt Disney came in second place, largely due to a one-million-follower increase on Sina Weibo, a Chinese microblogging site.

    National Geographic grabbed the bronze after its top-rated YouTube channel got 160 million views this past year.

    Nike was viewed over 50 million times this year, while Google came next by earning over three million fans on Facebook taking its total following to more than 15 million.

    Coca Cola had 15 million people liking its Facebook page while over 58 million viewed its YouTube offerings.

    MTV had ten million new fans across Facebook, Twitter and Google after the MTV awards presentation.

    Facebook solidified its position as the top-most social media, with 16 million new fans on its own page in 2013.

    Instagram got sixteen million new fans during the year while YouTube had over three million new fans over Google during 2013.

  • Carat Fresh wins Bookmycab.com’s PR mandate

    Carat Fresh wins Bookmycab.com’s PR mandate

    MUMBAI: Carat Fresh PR, from the Aegis Media Group, has won the PR mandate for Bookmycab.com.

    Carat Fresh PR is the PR arm of Carat Fresh Integrated. Commenting on the development Carat Fresh Integrated vice president Sidharth Ghosh, “We are truly excited to be associated with Bookmycab.com. which operates in a challenging segment like radio taxi service. We are confident of supporting Bookmycab.com. business objectives with our insight-driven strategy and effective communications.”

    Added Bookmycab.com CEO Avinash Gupta, “We are extremely delighted to partner with Carat Fresh Integrated and are looking forward to a strong and successful association. Agency will be responsible for building brand awareness, corporate reputation and strategic visibility for the Bookmycab.com business in India. They have a very successful track record and the required insights the ability to understand our business.”

    The client list of the agency on the PR front include: SCA , Madame, Accelya Kale, Richfeel, Diaped, Ayushakti.

  • Can politicians have a brand value?

    Can politicians have a brand value?

    MUMBAI: The Bhartiya Janta Party seems to be riding high on its prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, especially in the digital world it seems. After offerings like two smartphones – SmartNaMo Saffron One and SmartNaMo Saffron Two, mobile games like Modi Run and Narendra Modi: Game, now there’s a NaMo online store launched by Take India Beyond Merchandising that would sell everything from t-shirts to stationery.

    According to a media report, all the items sold on the site are inspired by Modi’s lifestyle and values. The products are differentiated in categories as NaMo Mantra, NaMo Lekh and NaMo Tech.

    While the idea seems really interesting on the face of it, if we look back we can hardly think of a politician making a brand. Even after thinking hard the only Indian politicians/political leaders who come to mind to have inspired the masses in terms of products are people like Mahatma Gandhi whose Gandhi topi is still worn by the masses at the time of protests; Indira Gandhi’s style of wearing saris has not only been adapted by bahu Sonia Gandhi but many women who stand to fight for a right; Jawahar Lal Nehru takes the credit for making more than one thing popular including the red rose, the Nehru jacket and topi. Internationally, US president John Fitzgerald Kennedy was a big brand followed by people across the globe.

    And since the number of such politicians could be counted on finger tips, we really wonder if politicians can become brand endorsers? “They surely can,” remarks veteran ad man Prahlad Kakar, who thinks that Modi is a big brand in today’s time.

    Kakar says that if a politician maintains a stature and charisma big enough to draw the masses, he can become a brand and have a shelf life too. “The chai wallah remark by Modi has pulled the masses and if the online store keeps the focus of the promotion around that, they will benefit hugely,” he quips. According to Kakar, a campaign like “Chai Wallah Upaay Wallah Hai”can really work wonders for brand NaMo.

    And it is not just Kakar, even brand consultant Harish Bijoor thinks that in today’s time politicians have become more like a symbol. “The way the actors sell as a symbol, now politicians will sell as well. Right now Narender Modi is very popular among the masses and that is the reason behind so many people making profits out of brand NaMo. However, it may be short-lived. The brand value will survive only till the time the politicians are popular and in sight,” he remarks.

    Interestingly, they won’t be surprised to see other politicians becoming a brand. The possibility of products made around the styles and values of Arvind Kejriwal, Rahul Gandhi (if he survives in the upcoming political battle), Vasundhara Raje among few others, getting popular is high.