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Tag: Hero Cycles

  • Hero Cycles appoints Rohit Sharma as chief communications officer

    Hero Cycles appoints Rohit Sharma as chief communications officer

    MUMBAI:  Hero Cycles announced another senior level executive appointment of Rohit Sharmaas as Chief Communications Officer. His core responsibility is leading and driving all communications for the Hero Cycles group and thereby heading and managing the Public Relations and Corporate Communications functions as well.

     

    According to Pankaj Munjal, CMD, Hero Cycles MD Pankaj Munjal said, “We extend a warm welcome to Rohit Sharma. He joins us as an integral part of our key marketing team. We value the space we occupy in the collective consciousness of the Indian people and amongst our well-wishers. Hero Cycles is fast growing into a brand which stands for quality, friendliness and health. I am sure that Rohit will help develop our reputation capital at all levels and for multiple audience sets simultaneously. I wish Rohit Sharmaall the best in his new innings with us.”

     

    Commenting on his appointment Sharma said, “In my role as the CCO, my endeavour would be to create a brands which people would like to spend their time with and make a part of their everyday lives. I believe that Hero Cycles is a strong culture brand which is both timeless and age agnostic. It represents a free-spirit which and is loved both by the masses as well as the classes. As part of the kaleidoscope of the mother brand Hero, UT and FireFoxbrands hold immense potential and promise. I look forward to assisting our CMD, Mr. Pankaj Munjal in all international and domestic acquisitions as well as entrepreneurial projects which would help further expand the groups’ business and reach across the country and the globe.”

  • Hero Cycles chairman emeritus OP Munjal passes away

    Hero Cycles chairman emeritus OP Munjal passes away

    MUMBAI: Hero Cycles chairman emeritus and one of the founders of Hero Group OP Munjal passed away earlier today (13 August) in Ludhiana.

     

    The 86-year-old industry legend was facing health related issues for the past few months. He is survived by one son, four daughters, a daughter-in-law, four son-in-laws and 10 grandchildren. The cremation will take place on 14 August in Ludhiana.

     

    Munjal had only last month ceded chairmanship of Hero Motors group and retired from active role in the business. His son Pankaj Munjal succeeded him as the chairman and managing director of the Group.

     

    He along with his three brothers Brijmohan Lall Munjal, Dayanand Munjal and Satyanand Munjal started a bicycle spare parts business in Amritsar In 1944. They subsequently moved their base to Ludhiana naming the company ‘Hero’ and set up India’s first bicycle manufacturing unit in 1956. During 1980s Hero Cycles became the largest bicycle manufacturer by volume in the world. Munjal, who led Hero Cycles for almost 60 years, also helped Hero Cycles in diversifying to other businesses such as auto parts manufacturing and hospitality. Under his leadership, the company grew from its humble beginnings to a fledging Rs 3000 crore industrial house. He also served as the president of All India Cycle Manufacturers’ Association.

     

    Munjal had received national honours from former Presidents of India including Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, VV Giri, Giani Zail Singh and Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. He had also received the Udyog Rattan Award for outstanding contribution towards economic development of the State (Punjab).

     

    He was not only a renowned businessman but also a known philanthropist. He supported several educational institutions and hospitals across India.

  • Hero Cycles gets actor Arjun Kapoor as brand ambassador

    Hero Cycles gets actor Arjun Kapoor as brand ambassador

    NEW DELHI: Actor Arjun Kapoor is the new brand ambassador of Hero Cycles which claims to be the largest bicycle manufacturer in the country.

     

    At a press meet, Kapoor also launched the company’s first limited edition ‘Celebrity’ sports cycle named after the actor, labeled ‘AK edition’.

     

    Hero Cycles co-chairman and MD Pankaj Munjal said, “It has been a monumental year for Hero Cycles for both brand and business initiatives. We are ecstatic that youth icon Arjun Kapoor is now associated with us and will represent our brand and its ethos in the public and media. His resilience to stay fit despite all odds makes him an extremely popular among young generation and the transformation of him as a health and fitness conscious person has made him a great role model. We will soon be coming out with our first TV commercial with Arjun Kapoor which will be one of our major initiatives in recent times.”

     

    Kapoor said, “I am extremely proud of this association with the world’s largest cycle brand. Hero Cycles has shown the world that Indian made products can compete with the best in the world. I am happy to be face of the brand because cycling resonates within me like millions of Indians. Hero Cycles has been part of my life since my childhood just like so many other children in India. I feel cycles are not just a means of transport, but can be one of the best ways to keep fit. I strongly feel cycling should also be taken up by all of us as environment conscious citizens. I am sure that even more and more people will take up cycling in days to come.”

     

    Only 3000 units of ‘AK edition’ Hero Sprit RX-1 sports cycles would be available for fans across the country. These cycles will be adorned with Kapoor’s signature and will have exclusive new range of colours to choose from. These cycles would be available through online and select Hero Cycles retail stores across India.

     

    Munjal and Kapoor also unveiled Hero Cycle’s entry into e-commerce space. The company has tied up Sports365.in, one of India’s leading fitness, recreation and sports-related e-commerce portals, sell its entire range of cycles online. This will further expand Hero Cycles’ geographical reach, thereby making it more convenient for buyers.

     

    Munjal said, “We have been closely watching the evolution of our consumers’ behavioral pattern. We decided to make our entire range of cycles available online to make it easier and more convenient for our buyers to pick, compare and choose from our wide range offerings. These cycles will be home delivered to our customers through our existing channels of distribution.”

     

    Through this tie-up Hero Cycles will now be available on leading e-commerce platforms like Flipkart, Snapdeal, Amazon, Paytm, HealthKart, etc.

     

    “We see online with a potential to become one of our major sales channels, not only giving us access to the urban consumers but also allowing deeper penetration in the rural markets,” Munjal added.

  • Hero Cycles, Cycle Agarbatti and Duracell associate with ‘PK’ for effective marketing

    Hero Cycles, Cycle Agarbatti and Duracell associate with ‘PK’ for effective marketing

    MUMBAI: This decade saw a number of in-film product placements as it has become the most pursued marketing strategy to gain prominence with every potential blockbuster.

    Hero Cycles, Cycle Pure Agarbathies, and Duracell batteries have partnered with Rajkumar Hirani’s latest offering ‘PK’ in which these brands will be featured in a seamless manner. Go Fish Entertainment has been instrumental in getting these brands to associate with the movie.

    Hero Cycles co-chairman and MD Pankaj Munjal said,” We are excited to be associated with the movie ‘PK’ which is one of the most anticipated movies this year. In the movie, Anushka Sharma’s character uses bicycles from Hero Cycles’ Miss India Jade range. The range has been especially designed to complement the taste of the new age girl and goes well with the character of Anushka in the movie. We look forward to the movie’s upcoming success and hope that our new range of cycles is equally well-received by the customers.”

    Cycle Pure Agarbathies MD Arjun Ranga stated, “We take pride in being associated with the year’s most awaited chartbuster movie. With this partnership, we not only intend to build brand saliency, but also aim at connecting with the consumer at a more emotional and serious level”.

    He further added, “While brands foresee entertainment as a serious platform to communicate, brand and media managers have been conscious about advertising in multiple platforms and blockbuster movies are looked upon as one of the strong platform for brand recall and reinforcing consumer trust”.  

    Go Fish Entertainment with more than nine years in the industry has built a strong equity in this domain, which is its forte and has been successful in getting various brands recognition and strategic presence via relevant tie ups with films. Emphasising on how subtly these brands have been affiliated with the movie script, Go Fish Entertainment director Sajay Moolankodan said, “Brand integration with Bollywood has been evolving in its courtship. The crux of this affiliation lies in identifying the right opportunity for placement of products in the movie, taking care that the products are not blatantly placed. A lot of brainstorming and research work goes into making it a perfect fit between the brand and the film. While we figured out that the integration of a prominent incense brand will match a temple worship scene in the movie, Anushka’s character in the script also seemed to be apt forthe attributes of the Miss India Jade Range of Hero Cycles.”

    Producer and director, Rajkumar Hirani shared his thought about this association, “It is a pleasure to be associated with Hero cycles, Cycle Agarbathies and Duracell, as it was just the perfect fit for the scenes that we had envisaged in the film.  As a result, all parties have derived value from this association without compromising on the viewing experience of the audience.”

     

  • Hero Cycles customer reward initiative a hit with customers

    Hero Cycles customer reward initiative a hit with customers

    MUMBAI: Hero Cycles, world’s largest bicycle manufacturer, had recently announced ‘Mega Hero Gifts Festival’ to capture the spirit of festive season. The offer, that entitles each buyer to win assured gifts with the purchase of every Hero cycle, has received an overwhelming response from the customers. The company will be giving away over 9 lakh prizes under this offer.

     
    To avail the offer every customer will have to scratch the promo card being given along with each purchase. Speaking about the success of the offer Pankaj Munjal, Co-Chairman and Managing Director, Hero Cycles said, “We are overwhelmed by the response that we have received from our customers. In just a few days we have been able to achieve several happy and satisfied customers through the offer. Our aim is to provide maximum customer satisfaction through our quality of products and such offers further help in providing enhanced customer experience. This initiative is a part of our customer reward program that aims to bolster our efforts to achieve our sales expansion strategy.”
     

    There are several high value prizes among others to be won under the offer that include Maruti Alto cars, Hero Splendor motor cycles, Apple iPads, LG LCD televisions and Nokia 520 Lumia phones. The offer started from 16th October 2014 and will be valid till 15th December 2014.

     
    Being the world’s largest cycle manufacturers the company manufactured 5.5 million bicycles last year with sales of Rs 2000 crore.

     

  • Cartoon Network makes the daily woes of kids fun

    Cartoon Network makes the daily woes of kids fun

    MUMBAI: Surprise tests, math homework, brushing teeth, early bedtime deadlines are some of the biggest, albeit sometimes dramatized, villains in every child’s life. In a truly cartoony and entertaining style, Cartoon Network’s School Contact Program (SCP) – Kris ka Magic Mantra, will try and help tackle all these childhood problems in classrooms across the country.

     

    Kris, student-superhero of Cartoon Network’s popular series Roll No. 21, not only tackles homework and bullies but also villains disguised as teachers in a fun and hilarious manner. Deriving inspiration from the series, Kris ka Magic Mantra SCP addresses real life villains such as preparation for exams, exercising, etc. that children consider cumbersome and mundane. The program is meant to instruct via fun games, trivia and activities slotted into an hour-long session. A jiggle-wiggle dance to calm nerves before exams, a game of dodge-ball to explain the ill-effects of bacteria on teeth are just some of Kris’s magical tips a.k.a. mantras.

     

    That’s not all! For kids across the country, Cartoon Network will be conducting an exciting on-air contest based on the theme of the SCP. In order to participate in the Kris ka Magic Mantra contest, kids need to create a new and devious villain and send their entries on www.cartoonnetworkindia.com. The winning entry/villain will be animated and featured in the series Roll No. 21 opposite Kris. For more details, watch Roll No. 21 every Monday-Friday at 1:00 PM.

     

    The Cartoon Network SCP will reach out to over 5 lakh students in approximately 500 schools across 10 cities. The list of cities include Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Kanpur, Kolkata, Pune and Ahmedabad. Having started in the first week of August, the SCP will conclude mid-September.

     

    Speaking about this initiative, Krishna Desai, Executive Director & Network Head – Kids, South Asia, Turner International India Pvt. Ltd. said, “School contact programs are one of Cartoon Network’s most successful initiatives that get bigger and more innovative every year. Through Kris ka Magic Mantra, we aim to not only strengthen our connect with kids but also help them solve daily childhood problems in a highly entertaining manner.”

     

    Cartoon Network’s Kris ka Magic Mantra is powered by Creamfills Alpenliebe with associate sponsors Dabur Red Paste, Ranbaxy Chericof, Dabur Real Fruit Juice, Hajmola Chuzkara, Hero Cycles, Funskool, Scoopies, Doms and Crizal Junior UV.

  • Teamwork Communication to lead Hero Cycles and Hero Motors’ PR drive

    Teamwork Communication to lead Hero Cycles and Hero Motors’ PR drive

    MUMBAI: Teamwork Communication Solutions has bagged Hero Cycles and Hero Motors as its clients.

    The agency will also undertake the repositioning of Hero Cycles as a lifestyle brand.
    Teamwork emerged as the front runner in a multi-agency bid to get the coveted client, beating a number of other PR agencies who were in the fray.

    Talking on this recent development, Teamwork Communication Solutions MD Kamal Narayan Omer said, “We are elated to be on board Hero Motors and Hero Cycles, one of the country‘s most reputed auto majors. This brings a new level of diversification into our clientele. Working with one of the most prestigious auto names in the country is definitely a new landmark for us.”
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    Hero Cycles is aggressively expanding in high-end bikes with the introduction of several new brands and is in the process to reinvent its brand image and reposition it from a traditional cycle maker to an urban and lifestyle brand.

    “We are sure our extensive experience in this segment will help the company in effectively communicating to its target audience,” he added.

    The media communication and PR strategies of both companies were, till recently, looked after by Mumbai-based Adfactors PR.

    “Teamwork is today a prominent name in the PR industry, their steady growth and expertise in the specialist PR arena is commendable. We are very optimistic that our new media partners will very ably serve the interests of our company and take our alliance to greater heights,” said Hero Cycles MD and co-chairman Pankaj  Munjal.

    A Guinness Book Record holder since 1986, Hero Cycles is the largest bicycle maker in the world. From a modest beginning of mere 639 bicycles in 1956, Hero Cycles now produces approximately over 19,500 cycles a day. The company’s annual turnover for the fiscal 2012-13 was Rs 1450 crore.

    Hero Motors caters to the gears and transmission demands for its customers. The company’s Ghaziabad unit manufactures and supplies transmissions for high-end motorcycles and ATVs to BRP Rotax.

     

  • Hero Cycles renews sponsorship of India Cyclothon

    Hero Cycles renews sponsorship of India Cyclothon

    MUMBAI: Cycling manufacturer Hero Cycles and Sport18, the sports marketing division of the Network18 group, have renewed their association for the Hero Cycles India Cyclothon. Three editions of the event – Delhi on 11 September, Chandigarh on 25 September and Pune on 26 February – will be held.

    The India Cyclothon is a movement to promote the culture of cycling among the citizens and is built on the dual planks of environment conservation and fitness.

    The event in Delhi would feature an International cycling race spanning 105 km. Two Indian teams will feature in the international race.

    Hero CyclesMD Pankaj Munjal said, “It is an event that allows families to enjoy a day out together. We believe that these days there are not too may occasions for families to come play and participate together and this one, with its carnival like atmosphere is designed to make it a memorable day. Away from the confines of the home, away from television and computers, we aim to bring the outdoors alive, cut across age and economic barriers and let families sweat and shine to their heart’s content.”

    Sport18 CEO Satish Menon said, “It is an honour to hold the Cyclothon event for the second time in the Capital, We expect a big turnout for the Hero Cycles India Cyclothon. We have been conducting the India Cyclothon in different parts of the country and believe that in these times of global warming and economic slowdown, cycling is an ideal sport to adopt. It serves the dual purpose of staying healthy and being ecofriendly.”

    India Cyclothon has seen support from the likes of HDFC Standard Life, Hindustan Times, Parle –G. ,Lotto, RedFM, Café Coffee Day, Taj hotels and Bookmyshow. The fund-raising partner for the event is Wishberry.

  • Hero Cycles in retail tie-up with Planet Sports

    Hero Cycles in retail tie-up with Planet Sports

    MUMBAI: Bicycle manufacturer, Hero Cycles, announces a strategic tie-up with Sports Division- Pantaloon Retail India Limited, part of Future Group, to market and sell their new range of premium bicycles.

    This association would enable Hero Cycles to display their merchandise and make their new range of premium bicycles available across Planet Sports, and its Shop-in-Shop formats within Central, Pantaloons, Brand Factory and Sports Warehouse across all metros and Tier I cities.

    Hero Cycles MD SK Rai said, “The tie-up is aligned with Hero Cycle‘s strategy to address the premium bicycle market, while continuing to be the market leader in the mass segment through its established brand loyalty. Owing to changing trends in retail and the evolving profile of consumers, our attempt is to expand our product line, by offering quality products, sound in technology and engineering, thereby enhancing the overall shopping experience for customers.”

    Pantaloon Retail India CEO sports division Ravdeep Singh said, “We are pleased to partner with Hero Cycles; this is sure to enhance the shopping experience for our consumers and reinforce our commitment to encourage an active lifestyle amongst our audience. The new bicycles by Hero are truly a class apart, sleek and stylish in their design and completely in line with the quality of products we display in our stores.”

    The new range of Hero Cycles boasts advanced features, cutting across all socio-economic segments. The premium range will be marketed through selective retail outlets of Future Group. Specific details on the alliance are to be confirmed; the timeline of the final unveiling is scheduled to be around May 2011.