Category: MAM

MUMBAI: The HUL, P&G row over the Rin versus Tide detergent ad is only getting thicker. 
 
FMCG major P&G has moved the Calcutta High Court against rival player HUL for putting out a “disparaging” advertisement against Tide.
 
Meanwhile, the Madras High Court has directed P&G to modify its Tide ad as HUL had claimed that the Tide ad misled consumers, giving an idea that it was a natural detergent, even though it is a synthetic product.
 
The controvercial comparative ad went on air on 26 February. In its high-voltage television commercial, HUL compared the superior washing powers of its brand Rin to Tide from the P&G stable. HUL ran a small ticker in its new ad campaign for Rin which said, “Attested by independent labs.”
 

BANGALORE: Following a hugely successful first contest during the Champions League in September-October last year, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) second jaunt of the annual ‘Fantastic Fans Challenge’ contest has thrown up four scribes who will showcase their creative flair and enduring passion for the team during IPL 3.

Aneesh Surender from Hyderabad was adjudged the Chief RCB Blogger, Ashish Parmar from Bangalore was crowned the Chief RCB Photographer, Radio Sandeep from Bangalore was designated as the Chief RCB Podcaster and Sandeep M from Bangalore was chosen the Chief RCB Videographer for the Royal Challengers.
 
The ‘Fantastic Fans Challenge’ contest called for online entries through the Royal Challengers’ website, www.royalchallengers.com for Royal Challengers’ Fans with exceptional writing, photography, videography and commentating skills.

The applicants were then asked to collect public votes and references and the top 36, nine from each category, from over 1300 entries, were selected for the grand finale. The finalists were judged by the Royal Challengers Coach, Ray Jennings and the Captain, Anil Kumble.
 
 
The four winners will be given the opportunity to stay and travel along with the Royal Challengers team, and granted preferential access to all RCB matches. They will fulfill their duties as “content contributors” to the RCB Fan oriented sections of the Royal Challengers website during IPL 3.

Says RCB cricket team captain Anil Kumble, “It is fabulous to see the fans and their undying faith in the team. The chosen 4 now have an excellent but a huge responsibility to run the Royal Challengers Fan channel during IPL. They will bring alive the behind-the-scene stories and constantly update the site with insights and news.”
 
The Chief Blogger will communicate the passion of the team to its fan base during the upcoming IPL, share personal experiences and conduct live chats with the team members on the team’s official website, www.royalchallengers.com .

The Chief Videographer will record the magical sporting moments during the play and practice and on the spot interviews with the team players, celebrities and the cr?me de le cr?me at the stadium.

The Chief Photographer will capture unforgettable shots on and off the pitch, the hotel stay and during travel. The Chief Podcaster will interview the team members and be a commentator for the live cricket matches.
 

MUMBAI: MPG Active, the OOH arm of Media Planning Group (MPG), a Havas Group company, has appointed Rajeev Luthra as business director.

In his new role, Luthra will be responsible for client acquisition and business win. 
 
In addition, In addition, Rajeev will build short / long term budgets in tune with the corporate strategies and assess requirements and conduct negotiations for delivering need-based products to key clients. He will also take care of direct interactive advertising/marketing/branding plans, leverage existing and new partnerships and lead direct implementation, execution, schedules and new businesses pan India.
 
Said MPG directors Raminder Singh and Ankur Rastogi in a joint statement, “Rajeev‘s varied experience across categories and professional capability will surely help our team deliver better. We are quite confident that Rajeev will add a lot of value in enhancing our outdoor business.”
 
Added Luthra, “Having mobilised talent in the last 2-3 years, MPG Active is all set to take the Indian OOH industry to a new level and I look forward to contributing to the team here and becoming a catalyst in helping brands reach a new level of success.”
 

MUMBAI: Maui Jim, the US-based manufacturer of sunglasses that forayed into India, has roped in international Tennis player Elena Dementieva as its brand ambassador.
 
Under the agreement, Elena will promote the products on a global level through various forms of marketing, advertising, PR and communications and promotions.
 
Said Maui Jim International marketing manager Martijn van Eerde, “Apart from being an amazing athlete, her style and personality -on court as well off court- are a great fit with our attitude, AKA Aloha spirit.”

MUMBAI: General Mills has launched a new TVC for its Pillsbury Atta brand, created by advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi. 
 
Says Saatchi & Saatchi India creative head Ramanuj Sastry, “This campaign is in line with the Saatchi Lovemark philosophy – to create great brands that inspire love and respect. We are really excited about this campaign and believe that it takes the brand and category forward…with a simple yet memorable campaign.” 
 
The film has been produced by Fingerprint Films.
 

MUMBAI: With the arrival of 2010, Pepsi is ready to adorn the new baseline, Youngistaan ka Wow, an extension of its Youngistaan brand talk that was introduced in 2008.

Keeping in line with the new baseline, Pepsi will launch a new thematic TVC highlighting the “Wow” of the Pepsi drinker. JWT is the creative agency.
 
Says PepsiCo India EVP – marketing Sandeep Singh Arora, “Pepsi has always been synonymous with youthfulness, a ‘can do‘ attitude and ‘in my own way‘ spirit. With the Youngistaan campaign Pepsi branded this young confident generation, celebrated their attitude, their achievements and gave them a rallying cry to go out and make things happen. Now with Youngistaan ka Wow, Pepsi aims to celebrate the audacious self-belief of the youth, the believe with which they are able to make things happen while doing things their own way.”
 
Says JWT vice president Hari Krishnan, “Youngistaan Ka Wow stands for two things – firstly, the refreshment and magic of Pepsi the cola, which makes Pepsi Wow and is the most loved cola for the youth. Secondly, the audacious self belief of the youth that helps them overcome obstacles/conventions and create a Wow.”
 
The brand new communication will be supported by a high decibel ATL, digital campaign, with new engagement modules both online and on-ground.
 

MUMBAI: After receiving complaints from consumers over Hindustan Unilever (HUL)’s Rin ad campaign, the Advertising Standards Council of India (Asci), the watchdog of the Indian ad industry, is examining the issue.
 
In its high-voltage television commercial, HUL compared the superior washing powers of its brand Rin to Tide from the P&G stable. HUL is running a small ticker in its new ad campaign for Rin which says, “Attested by independent labs.”
 
Asci secretary general Alan Collaco said, “A complaint has been registered against the Rin ad. The ASCI‘s Consumer Complaints Council will meet on 23rd March to discuss the matter.”
 
Meanwhile P&G is said to be planning to take HUL to court as its detergent brand Tide has been depitcted negatively in the HUL ad for Rin. It could also launch a new ad campaign as a counter measure.

MUMBAI: Brand activation agency Candid Marketing has adorned a new logo and brand identity to reinvent its corporate image.

In its new avatar, the company is looking to grow beyond BTL by using creative innovation as a central tool.
 
 
The new logo of the brand has a formation of ‘dot-holes‘ or circles designed organically to form a square into the new identity signifying the flow of creativity and innovation through the delivery of logic and execution excellence. The dot-holes in the company‘s new logo also signify the new dimension to Candid – helping its clients activate their consumers across all media and not just BTL.

Said Candid Marketing co-founder and MD Atul S Nath, “The business of brand activation in India is coming of age, and brand activators are making their presence felt as partners for clients‘ brands.” 
 
“Our image and branding makeover reflects the growth that the overall business segment and specifically Candid Marketing is going through. We constantly adapt and evolve with the business environment and our client needs. And so our brand and logo will be used in a way that is kinetic and adaptive across collateral from our website to visiting cards and stationery, from signage to email signatures,” Nath adds.
 
 

MUMBAI: Rediffusion Y&R has roped in Shubho Sengupta as creative head, digital.

Prior to this, Sengupta was with Interactive Avenues as national creative director. 
 
With approximately 15 years of experience, Sengupta has also worked with agencies such as Contract, JWT, Leo Burnett and Ogilvy. 
 
Some of the brands on which he has worked include Sony, Sony and Travelocity.com.

MUMBAI: Hindustan Unilever (HUL) has roped in Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif as the new brand ambassador for Lux‘s new variant, Lux Purple Lotus & Cream. 
  
Says HUL VP – home care & skin cleansing Sudhanshu Vats, “Lux, over the years, has always been known for introducing exciting innovative variants for its consumers and here‘s another such variant which is sure to appeal to consumers with its unique purple colour and sensuous aroma. We look forward to this variant becoming a favourite amongst consumers across India.”

The FMCG major has also launched a new television campaign featuring Kaif that has been directed by Marco. The music score for the campaign has been composed by the trio, Shankar Ehsaan Loy.
 
 
Says Katrina Kaif said, “I join the legendary Lux beauty brigade, and only hope that my association with the brand grows stronger in the years to come.”