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Tag: Maruti Suzuki India

  • WION & Zee Business’ InSight 2024 conclave sets the stage for a transformative year ahead

    WION & Zee Business’ InSight 2024 conclave sets the stage for a transformative year ahead

    Mumbai: InSight, the flagship conclave presented by WION & Zee Business, recently convened an esteemed gathering of industry leaders, esteemed journalists, and visionary moderators to illuminate the path forward for India’s future. This landmark event served as a platform for insightful discussions, thought-provoking fireside chats, and engaging sessions, all aimed at deciphering the complexities of the past year and charting a visionary course for the year ahead. The conclave showcased the unwavering commitment of both media giants to deliver insightful and engaging content that resonates with viewers globally. It was streamed live on WION & Zee Business’ respective YouTube channels.

    The on-ground conclave comprised of a fireside chat with the guest of honour, minister of state for road transport & gighways and civil aviation General V. K. Singh (Retd). Subsequent sessions delved into diverse topics including ‘Changing Investment Trends and the Future Ahead’, featuring SBI Mutual Fund deputy MD and joint CEO D.P. Singh, engaging in thought-provoking dialogue with Anil Singhvi, Zee Business, and Vikram Chandra, WION. The conversation explored the evolving dynamics of investment and the burgeoning participation of retail investors in shaping market trends. A strategic conversation on ‘Accelerating Progress – Mapping the Evolution of India’s Automotive Landscape’ featured Maruti Suzuki India Sr executive officer, marketing & sales, Shashank Srivastava and BMW Group India president & CEO Vikram Pawah.

    WION & Zee Business chief business officer Madhu Soman lauded the success of InSight, stating, “As we reflect on the success of this conclave, we are reminded of our core mission—to inform, to inspire, and to empower. The overwhelming response affirms that our efforts to create a platform for meaningful discourse have struck a chord with our audience, driving us to continue pushing the boundaries of content delivery.”

    Zee Media Corp Ltd (ZMCL) chief revenue officer Mona Jain echoed this sentiment, highlighting, “InSight exemplifies our dedication to fostering informed dialogue and facilitating knowledge-sharing among industry leaders and experts. As we navigate the complexities of an ever-changing world, events like these play a crucial role in shaping our collective understanding and driving positive change.”

    In addition to the enriching discussions, attendees were treated to a special performance by Anirban Dasgupta, Stand-up Comedian and writer, adding a touch of humour and entertainment to the proceedings.

    As InSight drew to a close, attendees left with renewed optimism and determination. Armed with their insights, participants are ready to tackle the challenges and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead in 2024 and beyond. Watch the full stream on WION & Zee Business’ YouTube channels.

  • TAM report: Kia Seltos entered the top 10 list of brands in Jul-Sept’23

    TAM report: Kia Seltos entered the top 10 list of brands in Jul-Sept’23

    Mumbai: TAM AdEx India has released a quarterly advertising report on print for Jul-Sept’23.

    Print advertising experienced a six per cent increase in ad space from Jan-Mar’23 to Apr-Jun’23. However, from Jul-Sept’23, there was a two per cent decline in ad space compared to Jan-Mar’23. Additionally, during Jul-Sept’23, there was an 11 per cent reduction in ad space compared to the same period in 2022 for print advertising.

    The services sector claimed the top spot, capturing a 16 per cent share of ad space in Jul-Sept’23, surpassing its position in Apr-Jun’23. Computers emerged as the sole newcomer in the top 10 sectors, securing a two per cent share of ad space in Jul-Sept’23 compared to the previous quarter. Together, the top 10 sectors added 82 per cent share of ad space in Jul-Sept’23.

    During Jul-Sept’23, coaching/competitive exam centre descended to ninth position with a three per cent share of ad space compared to its first position in Apr-Jun’23. Whereas, in Jul-Sept’23, public issues ascended to fourth position with five per cent share of ad space compared to its tenth position in Apr-Jun’23. Additionally, the top 10 categories collectively added 44 per cent share of ad space in Jul-Sept’23.

    Maruti Suzuki India was the leading advertiser during Jan-Mar’23 and Apr-Jun’23. During Jul-Sept’23, the top 10 advertisers together covered 13 per cent share of ad space. SBS Biotech ascended to first position in Jul-Sept’23 compared to its second position in Apr-Jun’23. 38k plus exclusive advertisers were present in Jul-Sept’23 compared to Apr-Jun’23.

    Kia Seltos entered the top 10 list of brands in Jul-Sept’23 and secured first position compared to its 78th position in Apr-Jun’23. 47k+ Exclusive Brands were present during Jul-Sept’23 compared to Apr-Jun’23. Patanjali Divya OTC Products was an exclusive brand in Jul-Sept’23 compared to Apr-Jun’23. Also, the top 10 brands covered six per cent share of ad space in Jul-Sept’23.

    Public issues among categories witnessed highest increase in ad seconds with twofold growth followed by cars with 29 per cent growth during Jul-Sept’23 compared to Apr-Jun’23. In terms of growth percentage, the corporate-IT category witnessed the highest growth percentage among the top 10 i.e. four times in Jul-Sept’23.

    Sales promotion advertising covered 29 per cent share of ad space in Print during Jul-Sept’23. Among sales promotions, multiple promotion secured first position with 52 per cent share of ad space followed by discount

    promotion with 34 per cent share. The top two promotions covered 86 per cent share of ad space during Jul-Sept’23.

  • Khatron Ke Khiladi returns for Season 12; Colors on boards 5 sponsors

    Khatron Ke Khiladi returns for Season 12; Colors on boards 5 sponsors

    Mumbai: India’s most awaited stunt-based reality show Maruti Suzuki presents Khatron Ke Khiladi Charged by Thums Up is set to return on Colors with a blazing new season. Host and renowned filmmaker Rohit Shetty will challenge 14 daredevil contestants with exhilarating stunts as they navigate through their innermost fears in the beautiful boulevards of Cape Town. 

    With central theme – ‘Bachke Kaha Jaayega, Khatra Kahi Se Bhi Aayega’ the show is packed with lots of Darr and Terror, infused with tonnes of Dare and Josh, the contestants will have to showcase a lot of Jigar and Himmat to tread through the Khatras

    Along with Maruti Suzuki as the presenting sponsor and Charged by Thums Up as the powered by sponsor,  the show also welcomes Ching’s, Amazon Prime and Hershey’s Kisses as the associate sponsors for the season. Produced by Endemol Shine India, Khatron Ke Khiladi will premiere on 2 July and air every Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm, only on Colors.

    Viacom18 head – Hindi Mass Entertainment and Kids TV Network Nina Elavia Jaipuria said, “At Colors, it has been our continuous effort to deliver a variety of content through our fiction and non-fiction properties. In the reality entertainment segment, we have pioneered different genres over the years that include dance, singing, talent, voyeurism, and we are once again delighted to bring back our action-based show Khatron Ke Khiladi. Last season the show broke significant records by becoming the number one non-fiction show in the Hindi GEC space and has received immense love from the viewers and sponsors alike. The excitement amongst the fans is palpable and we are looking forward to a super, action-packed new season.” 

    She further added, “We are elated to continue our partnership with Maruti Suzuki as our presenting sponsor, and welcome on board  ‘Charged’ by Thums Up as the powered by sponsor along with Ching’s, Amazon Prime and Hershey’s Kisses as the associate sponsors.”

    The daredevils who will be competing this season are TV personalities including Rubina Dilaik, Shivangi Joshi, Sriti Jha, Mohit Malik, Kanika Mann, Aneri Vajani and Chetna Pande. Ace choreographer Tushar Kalia and Nishant Bhat along with social media sensations Faisal, Jannat Zubair, Erika Packard and Bigg Boss season 15 contestants Pratik Sehajpal and Rajiv Adatia are also on the list.

    Viacom18 chief content officer – Hindi Mass Entertainment Manisha Sharma said “Khatron Ke Khiladi presents a unique blend of action and entertainment that the viewers eagerly look forward to every season. We are thrilled to return with another power-packed and adventurous season with the action maven Rohit Shetty as the reigning host. He has been an integral part of the show and he will be adding his personal touch and expertise to some of the featured stunts. The new season will have many adrenaline-surging stunts performed by 14 feisty and popular mixes of contestants. This time the contenders will be seen exploring new arenas of Cape Town which will test their mental and physical tenacity like never before.”

    Host and action maestro Rohit Shetty said, “Every year, Khatron Ke Khiladi gets bigger and better with larger-than-life stunts and I am looking forward to elevating the action quotient this season. This year, we have an extremely promising line-up of contestants who have been giving each other a tough competition. The show has been built on a larger scale wherein the viewers will see many new stunts in the unexplored locales of Cape Town. Being a part of Khatron Ke Khiladi has always been extremely special to me.”

    Maruti Suzuki India senior executive director – marketing and sales Shashank Srivastava commented, “We are excited to be a part of season 12 of Khatron Ke Khiladi. This is our fourth association with Khatron Ke Khiladi in a row and the partnership has only gone from strength to strength. Khatron Ke Khiladi is an extremely popular show and has created a niche for itself, especially amongst the youth of our country. At Maruti Suzuki, we constantly strive to bring out more youthful and dynamic imagery. We are extremely delighted to associate the iconic Swift with Khatron Ke Khiladi, which since its launch in 2005 has revolutionised the premium hatchback segment in India. The all-new Swift stands out from the crowd and has earned the love of nearly 2.4 million customers with its upright stance, sporty performance and unmistakable road presence which emphasises individuality. Our partnership with the show resonates with Swift’s proposition of performance and being Limitless. We believe that the Khatron Ke Khiladi contestants of this season will bring limitless action to the viewers through their limitless performances on the show.”

    Coca-Cola, India & Southwest Asia, head – integrated marketing experiences Sumeli Chatterjee said, “We have recently introduced ‘Charged’ by Thums Up to the Indian market, and we are excited with the immense consumer applause and appreciation that has been received for this electrifying drink. With double caffeine and double kick, this beverage is a perfect partner to the action-packed Khatron Ke Khiladi franchise. We are absolutely thrilled to be part of this season.”

    Endemol Shine India CEO Rishi Negi said, “Over the years, Khatron Ke Khiladi has become the most sought-after destination for action on television. The show has carved a niche for itself and this season is going to be nothing short of a blockbuster. With Rohit Shetty as the host and 14 incredible and popular contestants, the bar is already set high. The viewers will see many jaw-dropping stunts that have been designed on a bigger scale with immense precision whilst enhancing the thrill. With some intense action unfolding in Cape Town, we look forward to a great season ahead.”

    Colors has designed a mega marketing and digital campaign to announce the arrival of its flagship action-based reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi. A seven-day on-air campaign has been initiated on network channels across Hindi movies, Hindi news, music and regional channels with upto 1,000 spots. High-impact billboards featuring Rohit Shetty and the contestants have been installed in more than 200 sites across prominent sites in Mumbai, national highways, Mumbai Airport digital screens and Delhi. 

    On the digital front, in keeping with the show’s central theme – ‘Bachke Kaha Jaayega, Khatra Kahi Se Bhi Aayega’, fans can use interactive Instagram filters to match the expressions of their favourite khiladis. A series of fun videos showcasing contestants’ preparation where they test their reflexes and guess what is in the boxes provided to them has been creating a storm on the internet. Elevator-style contestant-unveil videos wherein they are seen entering the stunt arena have been uploaded on the channel’s social media platforms. The meticulous planning that has gone into the campaign has set the stage for another blockbuster season of Khatron Ke Khiladi. 

  • The pros and cons of Barc’s ADRS for news genre

    The pros and cons of Barc’s ADRS for news genre

    Mumbai: After a gap of nearly 18 months, Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) India resumed the ratings for individual news channels with the release of data for Week 10 ‘2022 on 17 March. Following an industry-wide consultation process, the ratings agency developed the Augmented Data Reporting Standards (ADRS) for news and special interest genres, as per which audience estimates for these genres will be released based on a four-week rolling average, every week.

    The new system was devised to address the problem of smaller sample size, technically ‘incidence,’ which makes the news and niche genres prone to error and rigging. The four-week rolling average thus provides more robust and reliable viewership estimates with lower levels of error as compared to the earlier weekly reporting standard. 

    While the technicalities seem to be in place, stakeholders including broadcaster, advertisers and media planners though largely welcoming of the ADRS, have expressed certain reservations regarding it, ranging from downright disapproval to a ‘good for now’ and ‘wait and watch’ approach. 

    Insubstantial as it returns

    By and large, the ‘return of the ratings’ was welcomed by the industry; it was celebration for some, and vindication for others. And yet there were players who refused to accept it altogether.  Just days before the ratings resumed, a leading news broadcaster pulled out of Barc citing the changes offered as ‘alarmingly insubstantial.’ It was apparently displeased with the ratings agency’s unwillingness to work on its sample size which, it thought, was inadequate to ensure a measurement process free from manipulation.  

    A person from the authority tells IndianTelevision.com with a condition of anonymity that while the sample size of nearly 40,000-50,000 that Barc works with is fairly adequate, what really makes the data prone to both error and rigging is the “comparatively miniscule viewership of news and special interest genres.”

    “Statistically speaking because the ‘incidence’ – which is inversely proportional to the level of error – is far lower as compared to other genres, increasing the sample size will not impact the efficacy or sanctity of data/ratings in any way. The well-thought transition to the ADRS (four-week rolling average) is therefore the best approach to providing the most accurate estimates for news and niche genre viewership,” he says.

    Impact on media planning

    Sharing his thoughts at a panel discussion organised by IndianTelevision.com last month, Omnicom Media Group India managing partner and head of investment Yatin Balyan says that weekly data helps understanding how their investments on a particular programme have performed, and to develop a learning base for making a futuristic recommendation. “While we take a long-term view on a four-week, eight-week or 13-week average basis, weekly ratings are important because not every event that we buy has a longer format,” Balyan tells. 

    Patanjali Ayurved COO – media and communications Anita Nayyar too highlights that owing to high volatility in programming in the news space regular reporting of ratings is important. “Unlike GECs, there is no reason why a newcomer cannot top the charts in the news genre because it is completely dependent on the content and the pulse of the audience the channel touches upon,” she adds. 

    However, for exactly the same reasons as mentioned above, an average will give a better understanding of viewership for a news channel, the expert points out. “The ADRS ought to be welcomed by the media planners for it makes life much simpler for them by reducing the disparity in planned and actual GRPs delivered on a campaign. There’s also the fact that news programming can only be altered so much, whatever the TRPs.”

    Advertisers speak  

    Maruti Suzuki India executive director (marketing and sales) Shashank Shrivastava is quite content with the new ratings standards. “Since we usually run regular and slightly longer campaigns for both sustenance and brand launch on news channels our media planning will not be affected as much as someone’s who goes for shorter, one off investment,” he shares. 

    News is a crucial genre for Maruti, speaking of impact and affinity among its TG. The automaker employs GECs for reach. “We generally prefer only the top three channels in any vertical, be it business, English, Hindi or vernacular news, and analyse it by market. Our experience and the ratings that have now been released also shows that there has not been much fluctuation in these rankings,” remarks Shrivastava.

    Dabur India head Rajiv Dubey is happy that the ratings are back and the trend that has emerged, justifies his marketer’s instincts that assumed increased relevance during the blackout days. Dabur is prominent advertiser on news channels, particularly Hindi and regional. The genre comes second after GECs for the FMCG major. 

    Commenting on the likely impact of the new reporting standards on his media strategy, he says, “I do not see it as having a significant impact, as media plans are not made or changed on a weekly basis. We consider a four to thirteen-week average for it.” 

    That being said, Dubey expects to have more weekly and granular data from Barc going ahead. “It is important to have a common standard across genres for comparative planning and to understand the viewership trends for special events/programming on news channels where my campaign may appear,” he insists. Expressing concern over “Barc’s rather secretive approach to a particular genre,” Dubey says he will continue using other sources like Zapr, data from DTH platforms and the company’s own internal survey which became his mainstay during the blackout. 

    It may be of interest here to note that Barc has capped the ‘Customised Events Reports’ (CER) available for broadcasters “to meet their commercial needs” at 12 for a financial year. 

  • Maruti Suzuki Q4: Sales pick up but net profit declines 10.7%

    Maruti Suzuki Q4: Sales pick up but net profit declines 10.7%

    MUMBAI: Automobile manufacturer Maruti Suzuki India’s net profit tumbled 10.7 per cent to Rs 1,166 crore for the quarter ended 31 March 2021. This, despite sales soaring 33.6 per cent year-on-year to Rs 22,958.6 crore.

    The unexpected fall in the net profit of the company was the result of a steep decline in other income to Rs 89.8 crore from Rs 880 crore a year ago.

    According to an exchange filing, Maruti Suzuki’s revenue for the fourth quarter rose 26 per cent to Rs 24,113 crore, compared with the Rs 23,918-crore estimate. That’s the third straight quarter of an increase in top line for the company. EBITDA margin contracted to 13.1 per cent from 14 per cent. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation increased 15 per cent to Rs 3,161 crore.

    The company sold 4.92 lakh units in the reported quarter, up 28 per cent from the year earlier.

    Aided by higher sales and cost reduction efforts, the carmaker’s operating profit in the quarter surged 72.8 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1,250.1 crore during Q4. Its operating margin in the quarter rose 120 basis points on year to 5.4 per cent.

    The company’s year-on-year performance on the topline has been aided by the low base of the year ago quarter which was hit by the national lockdown to stem the pandemic. Lower promotion costs, cost reduction efforts and improved capacity utilisation aided the margin performance during the quarter, the auto company said.

    For the financial year, Maruti Suzuki’s net sales fell 7.2 per cent to Rs 66,562.1 crore, while net profit slumped 25 per cent to Rs 4,229.7 crore.

  • ‘Enormous opportunity’: Brands upbeat about TV advertising in 2021

    ‘Enormous opportunity’: Brands upbeat about TV advertising in 2021

    MUMBAI: It would be safe to conclude from the BARC TV Universe 2020 figures that television remains our favourite form of video entertainment across India. The report, which showed that the number of TV viewers had gone up by more than 50 million to 892 million in the last couple of years, highlights how the power of television and consequently, television advertising remains steadfast and there’s nothing to halt its run! Little wonder then that advertisers are ready to bet big bucks on this old-fashioned medium. As these growing numbers prove, the ‘idiot box’ has proven remarkably resilient in an era of immense disruption, despite the threat of pandemic and emergence of new SVoD platforms.

    At the virtual panel discussion The Television Boardroom- organised by Indiantelevision.com Friday, brands across sectors ranging from F&B to automobiles spoke about the whys and hows of TV still taking the biggest slice of the advertising pie. The panel, moderated by Indiantelevision.com's Anil Wanvari  comprised Kotak Mahindra Bank’s Elizabeth Venkataraman, PepsiCo India’s Om Jha, id Fresh Food’s Rahul Gandhi, ITC’s Sanjay Singal and Maruti Suzuki India’s Shashank Srivastava. 

    Brands buoyant about 2021

    While the uncertainty and turmoil caused by the pandemic leading to a virtual halt of film and television shoots in the country was a dampener, marketers remained optimistic about prospects of advertising on television, especially as compared to 2020. The panel tried to explore the mindsets of the TV-viewing consumers and also shared what their expectations from the medium are.

    Kotak’s Venkataraman made note of the unusual consumer viewing behaviour in the year gone by, which needed to be watched carefully to learn whether it sustains going ahead, as we come out of the pandemic. So while all agreed that TV viewership will be higher than 2019, there was a doubt on whether the levels that we see now would continue going ahead, with lockdowns being phased out and work and life calling.

    Srivastava shared his data on projections for TV ad spend in 2021 which are 12 to 13 percent higher than previous year’s. Overall hope and optimism from this year was that it will not be an out and out disruptive year like the year before. With expectations from vaccination drives and/ or herd immunity impact, the world is expected to settle in by mid-2022. Consequently, both viewership and marketer’s spending should improve this year on, was the general opinion.

    Role of branded content & impactful advertising

    Discussions also revolved around the roles branded content and impactful advertising can play in upping the television adex game. ITC’s Singhal spoke about its tie-up with Star during the pandemic called ITC Masterchef, which had insights from five star hotel chefs on how to cook up five-star-like fare, using ingredients already available in one’s kitchen. This got a lot of mileage, so there is definitely a space for branded content, but the need has to be there first, or it could fall flat, he felt.

    TV advertising consists of very short formats of 30-odd-seconds slots, hence to convey a larger picture of what the brand wants to talk about, branded content could help weave a brand story within the content very subtly so that the brand appears organically to the viewer. Brand integration can make it more relatable, without making it look like marketing -oriented.

    Brand association, integration and branded content gives one extra arsenal to marketers to push your product and gain brand recall, while telling the story of the brand, Srivastava said.

    However, contextual or relevance value along with understanding consumer’s needs is crucial for branded content to succeed. So, while TV offers the opportunity, for a brand to make it work is the challenge. That fear needs to be addressed for investment to come in this area. The impact also needs to be felt in numbers for it to be feasible.

    TV stands out for marketers with its impact and reach, and with third party organisations like BARC doing the measurement for the brand on TV modelling analytical capability on television has evolved to a different level. All the impactful advertising in IPL is a case in point – brands associated with IPL 2020 have become household names. Srivastava cited the IPL viewership touching a high of 400 billion viewing minutes in 2020. “There is no debate on the glory and size of TV advertising’s impact” stated Kotak’s Elizabeth.

    Alongside hard data it is also heavily intuitive, while being dependent on the brand objective. Hence there is also a role for a marketer’s gut instinct alongside the measurable impact was agreed overall.

    On looking at sports content beyond cricket

    Nothing beats or even comes close to cricket when it comes to sports in India is unanimously accepted. For television or brands to pick a sport and develop it, the nation must first adopt that sport, opined Jha. He cited instances to prove his point. Sony has been broadcasting football leagues for ages, while Star did a fantastic job with pro-kabaddi but the viewership is nowhere comparable to that of cricket.

    Panelists concurred that brands have been shy of investing in other sports for the same reason, unless it’s a niche region. There were hopes from Football and Kabaddi in this context. Maruti Suzuki is eyeing football as the next massy sport to look forward to in TV advertising, Srivastava shared. Venkataraman deemed Kabaddi as a local sport and also showed promise. There was a feeling that building up hype and hoopla around a sport league could help the sport, as transpired with kabaddi.

    All said and done, TV remains the best pick for a marketer today in India for ROI. And while it may not always be cheap, it is cost efficient for the kind of scale and resilience that the medium offers.

    Also, with television reinventing itself by evolving into smart TVs, which can be connected to the home Wi-Fi or an Amazon firestick, it will continue to remain relevant to consumers and the viewership can only grow from here. And with 90 million households yet to own a TV set in India, according to BARC data, that indicates enormous opportunity for brands in times to come.

  • How brands view television advertising in 2021

    How brands view television advertising in 2021

    New Delhi: Television has been one of the most resilient and strongest mediums of communication, especially in India. Unlike other countries, where an increasing number of people are cutting the cord with pay-TV, India’s reach in television is only growing. Around 210 million households in India now own a TV set, an increase of 6.9 per cent from 197 million in 2018, according to the latest estimates released by TV monitoring agency Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) on Thursday.

    But the fast adoption of video streaming services has no doubt changed the dynamics of advertising on television. So, what are the factors that brands now take into consideration when they choose to advertise on general entertainment channels? Does the content matter or is it just the reach? What is the perspective on sports content? Other than cricket what sports content are brands looking at?

    Some of these questions will take centre stage at The Television Boardroom- a virtual panel discussion being organised by Indiantelevision.com at 4 pm on Friday, where some leading brands and advertisers will talk about the different genres of television (movies, infotainment, GEC, news, kids) and their thoughts on them. The event will explore various issues related to the future of television and how the expectations of advertisers from TV have evolved over the years.

    The panel will comprise esteemed representatives from the industry – Kotak Mahindra Bank joint president-consumer, commercial & wealth marketing Elizabeth Venkataraman, PepsiCo India head media and partnerships Om Jha, id Fresh Food chief marketing officer Rahul Gandhi, ITC chief operating officer- dairy and beverages Sanjay Singal, Maruti Suzuki India executive director – marketing and sales Shashank Srivastava and Indiantelevision.com's founder, CEO and editor-in-chief Anil Wanvari.

    The event will be streamed LIVE on the social media platforms of Indiantelevision.com. To join us for stimulating conversations and interesting insights on the issue, register at https://www.indiantelevision.com/television-boardroom/login-system/registration.php

  • Maruti Suzuki, Dentsu Impact launch ‘Swift Limitless Stories’ campaign to salute real-life heroes

    Maruti Suzuki, Dentsu Impact launch ‘Swift Limitless Stories’ campaign to salute real-life heroes

    MUMBAI: Maruti Suzuki India, in collaboration with Dentsu Impact, has unveiled a brand-new campaign, ‘Swift Limitless Stories’ for the 3rd generation Swift.

    After the launch of the new model last year with the campaign #BeLimitless, MSIL was looking to take Swift’s legacy of performance forward. The objective of the campaign was to help people connect; not just physically but also emotionally with the concept of being ‘Limitless’.

    Commenting on the campaign, Maruti Suzuki India executive director-marketing and sales Shashank Srivastava said, “We want to engage with our target group (TG) in a more meaningful way. The Swift Limitless Stories is a way to build a higher level of brand salience to associate with performance but in an emotional way. It is also going to be our long-term strategy. These stories celebrate individuals who keep challenging themselves to become their better version. We wish to associate Maruti Suzuki with visual dynamism and pursuit for excellence. We also have a separate campaign for sales promotion for Swift. This campaign does not push for immediate sales. It, however, is meant to build brand salience."

    Brought to life by Dentsu Impact, the creative agency from the house of Dentsu Aegis Network, the ‘Swift Limitless Stories’ campaign celebrates three individuals who have overcome immense challenges in their lives while in their pursuit of greatness – Olympic and World Champion Mary Kom, Para-athlete Bhupendra Sharma, and a corporate banker Vikas Dimri, who conquered Mt. Everest and the Ironman Race the same year.

    Speaking about the campaign, Dentsu Impact national creative director Anupama Ramaswamy said, “Swift has always celebrated performance. And the ‘Swift Limitless Stories’ campaign has been created to do exactly that, with one difference – it takes the ‘Be Limitless’ philosophy beyond just the car. It salutes the undying spirit of certain special achievers who never accept things as they are and keep pushing past all limits to achieve their dreams. These stories have been carefully selected; because we felt they strongly connect with our consumer’s ‘nothing-is-impossible’ attitude.”

    The campaign relies on storytelling and celebrating the limitless heroes without consciously integrating the car. Reason being that the vision of this campaign is to personify the philosophy of ‘Be Limitless’ by highlighting the strength, passion and relentless determination of certain out-of-the-ordinary individuals.

    Swift Limitless Stories has been created to engage specifically with audiences on social media, Maruti Suzuki’s content hub, as well as the individual social media handles of these heroes.

    Dentsu Impact senior vice president Hindol Purkayastha said, “Swift has been an iconic brand which has been loved by multiple generations. Our latest campaign focuses on the digital audience and with compelling storytelling it will truly allow us to inspire millions of followers and get newer younger audience. With performance at the core of the brand, it was time to shift the conversation to individuals from the product. Thus, the concept of #BeLimitless campaign was used as a trigger to invite more stories of individual achievements. With this, we continue to own the space of performance.”

    With the Limitless Stories campaign, MSIL is not just sharing inspiring stories, but is also creating a platform for its audience to share their own journey with the world.

    The films have been directed by Sharat Sharma of Crazy Few Films.

  • The first ‘Made in India’ Baleno launched in Japan

    The first ‘Made in India’ Baleno launched in Japan

    MUMBAI: The ‘Made in India’ Baleno was launched in Japan today by the Suzuki Motor Corporation, parent company of Maruti Suzuki India Limited which had launched the model in India..

    Baleno, first exhibited at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2015, was launched in India on 26 October 2016. Baleno is manufactured only in India at Maruti Suzuki’s Manesar facility in Haryana. Since its launch, Maruti Suzuki has sold over 38,000 units of Baleno cars in the domestic market. Baleno will be exported to more than 100 countries.

    On the occasion of the launch ceremony in Tokyo today, Indian Ambassador to Japan Sujan R. Chinoy said, “Maruti Suzuki exports to over 125 countries including those in Europe, which is proof of their quality. The model being launched today, the Baleno, is a state-of-the-art car developed and manufactured in India through Suzuki’s excellence. It will be exported to 100 global markets including Japan. I am confident that the Baleno will prove to be a huge success in Japan. I wish the launch complete success.”

    Suzuki MD and CEO Kenichi Ayukawa added, “A landmark moment like this is a true testimony to the success of the Indian Government’s ‘Make in India’ campaign. Launch of the ‘Made in India’ Baleno in Japan is a proud moment for all of us. This reaffirms Maruti Suzuki’s manufacturing potential and growing importance of Maruti Suzuki India Limited in Suzuki Motor Corporation’s global business strategies. I am confident our Baleno would be well accepted by Japanese customers as well.”

    Baleno is a harmonious combination of “Liquid Flow” styling, performance achieved through ground-breaking technologies, and packaging. Baleno’s design, spacious interiors, features and Suzuki’s latest technologies make it the ideal compact hatchback.

    Fine-tuned over repeated test runs, Baleno offers a driving experience achieved by pursuit of the best balance between nimble performance and refined riding comfort.

  • The first ‘Made in India’ Baleno launched in Japan

    The first ‘Made in India’ Baleno launched in Japan

    MUMBAI: The ‘Made in India’ Baleno was launched in Japan today by the Suzuki Motor Corporation, parent company of Maruti Suzuki India Limited which had launched the model in India..

    Baleno, first exhibited at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2015, was launched in India on 26 October 2016. Baleno is manufactured only in India at Maruti Suzuki’s Manesar facility in Haryana. Since its launch, Maruti Suzuki has sold over 38,000 units of Baleno cars in the domestic market. Baleno will be exported to more than 100 countries.

    On the occasion of the launch ceremony in Tokyo today, Indian Ambassador to Japan Sujan R. Chinoy said, “Maruti Suzuki exports to over 125 countries including those in Europe, which is proof of their quality. The model being launched today, the Baleno, is a state-of-the-art car developed and manufactured in India through Suzuki’s excellence. It will be exported to 100 global markets including Japan. I am confident that the Baleno will prove to be a huge success in Japan. I wish the launch complete success.”

    Suzuki MD and CEO Kenichi Ayukawa added, “A landmark moment like this is a true testimony to the success of the Indian Government’s ‘Make in India’ campaign. Launch of the ‘Made in India’ Baleno in Japan is a proud moment for all of us. This reaffirms Maruti Suzuki’s manufacturing potential and growing importance of Maruti Suzuki India Limited in Suzuki Motor Corporation’s global business strategies. I am confident our Baleno would be well accepted by Japanese customers as well.”

    Baleno is a harmonious combination of “Liquid Flow” styling, performance achieved through ground-breaking technologies, and packaging. Baleno’s design, spacious interiors, features and Suzuki’s latest technologies make it the ideal compact hatchback.

    Fine-tuned over repeated test runs, Baleno offers a driving experience achieved by pursuit of the best balance between nimble performance and refined riding comfort.