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Tag: Vocal for Local

  • BJP Vs Congress, PM Modi’s campaign sets new benchmark for political PR and communications

    BJP Vs Congress, PM Modi’s campaign sets new benchmark for political PR and communications

    Mumbai: The campaigning for Lok Sabha elections is in full swing across the length and breadth of India. Political parties are flexing their muscles to engage in the poll battle of power and politics. They are somersaulting to prove themselves to be self-righteous and infallible while accusing others. In the dance of democracy, where we, the people of India, are innocently mute spectators as if their voices are getting drowned out, a “Chunavi” rhetoric slogan storm is brewing, with the air thickening with mudslinging and whataboutery. This phenomenon is not happening only with the current election cycle; rather, the political slanging match of the election gung-ho is becoming hotter and shriller day by day, surpassing the feverish excitement surrounding IPL cricket matches.

    Amidst the no-holds-barred electoral campaign, two incidents grabbed the headlines: first, Kangana Ranaut Vs Supriya Shreinate’s queen-sized row over remarks and counter-remarks; and secondly, PM Modi slamming the Opposition (Congress and INDIA bloc) for allegedly eating Mutton during the holy month of Sawan, referring to Rahul Gandhi and RJD supremo Lalu Yadav cooking Bihar’s special “Champaran Mutton”. Both political incidents followed punches and counter-punches. In the rat race of “first to break the news”, the reputation and image of political personalities get badly battered when the rumbling media beam such news stories. Political parties compete in their mission to condemn their respective adversaries, making election time, which is deemed as the festival of democracy, a season of allegations.

    In a democratic country like India, where 97 crore people are eligible to cast their votes and shape the destiny of the battle of the ballot, proper dialogue and strategic communications play a pivotal role in swaying the minds of the 140-crore populace of this socially and culturally diverse nation, which stands tall as the world’s largest democracy. Connecting with voters, shaping narratives, drumming up electoral manifestos to match the mood of the voters, and managing crises in real-time in this digital AI-driven world are highly significant to win elections. Here comes the role of PR and effective communication strategies, which could be key determinants in influencing public opinion on the poll pitch of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. Managing perception as well as meaningful connections between politics and people entails strategic communications. This General Election holds distinctive significance for the country and the Public Relations industry.

    Slogans wield a significant impact, setting the tone for the big battle of elections. These taglines encapsulate the essence of the vision of political parties and represent strategic communication moves to leave an indelible mark on people’s mindscape. Whether it’s “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,” “Achhe Din,” “Pradhan Sevak,” “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao,” “Vocal for Local,” “Make in India,” “Double Engine Ki Sarkar,” “Teesri Baar Modi Sarkar, Abki Baar 400 Paar,” or “Modi Ki Guarantee,” PM Modi’s electoral campaign taglines have reverberated widely across the country. Crafting such narratives to sway the poll mood of the nation is a herculean task, highlighting the critical need for strong PR and communication strategies in election campaigns. The 2014 Lok Sabha elections, which saw the BJP register a landslide victory under Narendra Modi, marked a watershed moment in communication strategies and political marketing. The innovative campaign tactics and masterful use of social media have set a new benchmark for PR and political communications in India.

    Notably, the business of PR and political consultancy has undergone exponential growth in India. During election time, the importance of the backroom system of ‘Chunavi Rajniti’ grows tremendously. From geographical boundaries to different political hues at the micro level of constituencies, managing the diversity of Indian voters demands well-crafted PR and communication strategies involving a wide gamut of functions. Political consultancy and PR firms bring together a wide pool of talent, including from IIMs, IITs, and top-notch B-schools, to leverage AI-enabled technology tools to hammer out effective campaign strategies, helping parties strike chords with their voters and appeal to mass demographics. Prashant Kishor-led I-PAC, a political consultancy firm, has earned many accolades for revolutionizing the course of electoral campaigns.

    Gone are the days of favouring one’s own people or bending to political heavyweights during ticket distributions. Today, the selection of candidates for election fights is guided by robust surveys and data analysis conducted by political consultancy and PR companies. With the wide network of the internet crisscrossing India, elections have become a digital battleground, which has thrown new challenges for election candidates and political parties. Winning and losing elections now hinge on the skill of engaging voters through effective messaging and impactful narrative. The ever-growing footprint of political consultancy and PR communications on the poll pitch undeniably reflects this shift. The convergence of strategic communications, data analytics, and AI-driven technology has reshaped the dynamics of PR and electioneering in India.

    As the Lok Sabha Election 2024 is billed to be the launching pad for making India a Viksit Bharat, the PR industry would play its king-size role in building trustworthy and reliable communications. On the occasion of National PR Day, celebrated every year on April 21, the Public Relations and Communications industry underlines the warm sentiment of one proverbial saying: “A good PR story is infinitely more effective than a front-page ad.”

  • Meet Tooter, the ‘swadeshi’ alternative to Twitter

    Meet Tooter, the ‘swadeshi’ alternative to Twitter

    NEW DELHI: As the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative putters on and gathers steam, some enterprising individuals have seized the chance to create a swadeshi alternative to Twitter, one of the most popular microblogging platforms in India. Named Tooter (sound familiar?), the social network calls itself the “Swadeshi Andolan 2.0.” In look and feel, it appears to be modelled after Twitter and follows the same mechanics as its source of inspiration.

    Just like one shoots off tweets on Twitter, users of Tooter can post ‘toots’. Users have a profile, can make lists, scroll down a news feed, follow people, and be followed back. Even the colour palette and app icon – a blue conch shell – bear a striking resemblance to Jack Dorsey’s brainchild.

    In its Terms of Service, Tooter stresses that it has been created for 'free speech'. The platform declared it will make the best efforts to ensure that all content moderation decisions and enforcement of terms of service "does not punish users for exercising their god-given right to speak freely."

    Tooter can be used on web browsers, and it has an Android app on the Google Play store, but is missing from the App Store for iOS devices as of now.

    What's more, Tooter is already home to a number of high-profile faces. Prime minister Narendra Modi is already there with a verified account; home minister Amit Shah, Amitabh Bachchan, Virat Kohli, Sadhguru, and the Bharatiya Janata Party are also on the platform. It seems the site has been live since July 2020, but it’s only recently that Tooter went viral on Twitter, the social network it’s hoping to give a run for its money.

    So it should come as no surprise that Tooter’s sudden popularity has catalysed Twitterati to do what they’re the best at – making memes. Some pointed out, tongue-in-cheek, the uncanny similarities between Twitter and Tooter…

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    …Others wondered if certain noisy elements will leave the US-based platform in favour of the Swadeshi alternative:

     

     

     

     

    Though it’s perhaps this person who summed it up best:

     

     

    While it will be interesting to see whether Tooter makes it in the long run, or fizzles out like Kimboh, the desi counterpart to WhatsApp, for the moment it has succeeded in creating a buzz.

  • OkCredit launches OkShop

    OkCredit launches OkShop

    NEW DELHI: With a global pandemic, the year 2020 has been challenging for small businesses that have been struggling to stay afloat through this. OkCredit aka ‘Digital India ka Digital Bahi Khata’ with its aim and mission of helping small businesses to grow and empower them digitally has now taken it upon them to spread some festive joy amidst the Chanderi craftsmen community this Diwali.

    OkCredit, continuing its pledge to empower small businesses by creating simple and easy to use products is all set to launch OkShop – Aapki Apni Online Shop. OkShop provides the ease of doing business to all the small merchants by allowing them to set up their online presence in two simple steps. It helps to create product catalogues with images, description and pricing, secure online payments, and easy sharing options of the inventories and offerings on WhatsApp. Vendors can also add or remove from the catalog as per their stock availability. It enables the local vendors to run a digital business-like a pro with the help of this truly Made in India app.

    With the common vision of the Nation – ‘Vocal for Local’, OkShop launches its first campaign ‘Chanderi ki Diwali’. With this campaign OkShop is on its way to onboard more than 3000+ looms, and around 6000+ weavers from Chanderi working hard to thrive the culture and struggling to create a sustainable business, post-pandemic. This opportunity will now enable the weavers to reach to their potential consumers directly along with providing an incentive to increase their sales and gain higher visibility of their products across India. There is no commission attached to it, so the weavers can sell their products free of cost to end consumers.

    OkCredit has also launched an exclusive website for weavers to add their products and for customers to buy directly: http://chanderi.okshop.in/

    The Chanderi society has also seen a great support from the government and local authorities, and is one of the initial 100 per cent free Wi-Fi community, which motivates and enable the weavers to innovate and take next steps towards contributing to the digital economy of India. OkCredit via OkShop top up to this aim to lead the digital empowerment and grow such small Indian businesses go Atmanirbhar.

    OkCredit co-founder & CEO Harsh Pokharna said, “As Shri Narendra Modi rightly says, these tough times have truly made us realize the significance of all local shops & businesses in our country, and we must take it upon ourselves to enable them to have a voice in the Indian digital economy. OkShop provides a platform to digitally empower them, and the Diwali campaign this year depicts gratitude and appreciation to the small merchants for their selfless support extended during this challenging situation; we hope we’re able to make a difference in the Chanderi society.”

  • Mitron TV goes vocal for local with Atmanirbhar Apps

    Mitron TV goes vocal for local with Atmanirbhar Apps

    KOLKATA: Homegrown short video app Mitron TV has unveiled a discovery platform called Atmanirbhar Apps on the occasion of National Unity Day. With the launch of Atmanirbhar Apps, Mitron TV wants to urge people to become ‘Vocal for Local’ and to bring the spotlight on Indian apps from various geographies.

    The app envisions to strengthen homegrown technology on a grand scale by making it easier for users to identify Indian apps for their various needs. Currently, the platform hosts more than 100 apps across categories like e-governance, utility, agriculture, gaming, entertainment, lifestyle, and e-learning, among others. It plans to bring 500 more by the end of this year to bolster its roster that includes Kifayat, Grocit, Jain Thela, Home Shoppy, YourQuote, Vridhi Stores, Xploree AI Keyboard, mParivahan, and more.

    Mitron co-founder & CEO Shivank Agarwal said, “It gives me immense pride and pleasure to bring Atmanirbhar Apps to the Indian users on National Unity Day. After PM Modi’s clarion call in May this year to be Atmanirbhar, and to focus on the creation of a Made in India ecosystem, we felt that it’s highly important to let users discover noteworthy Indian apps that are doing exceptional work to keep India running. This is a small effort by Mitron TV to celebrate self-reliance and promote domestic businesses.”

    Mitron co-founder & CTO  Anish Khandelwal said, “When we launched the Mitron TV app, we never imagined that users will shower us with so much affection that we will cross 39 million downloads within six months. This validated our belief that Indians have a trust factor towards local apps, which led us to launch Atmanirbhar Apps.’’

    Mitron TV has also kicked off the #AtmanirbharPledge campaign to support the visible momentum for #VocalForLocal. The campaign appeals to Indian users to choose domestic substitutes in the app world, and channelize their support for an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

  • OkCredit and Delhi Capitals join hands to empower small businesses

    OkCredit and Delhi Capitals join hands to empower small businesses

    NEW DELHI:  OkCredit – ‘Digital India ka Digital Bahi Khata’, has partnered with Delhi Capitals (DC) as their principal sponsor for the upcoming season of Indian Premier League (IPL), starting on 19 September 2020 in UAE. During the tournament, OkCredit will be known as the ‘Official Digital Credit Ledger’ of Delhi Capitals.

    Through this association, it will endeavour to leverage its journey of digitising the micro and small business landscape in India amongst the huge fan base of the team and tournament.

    It is also supporting Delhi Capitals in getting ‘Vocal for Local’ by empowering various small and iconic retail businesses across the city with their simple to use digital solutions. As part of ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign, Delhi Capitals will tell stories of some of the most iconic shops and vendors who have become a part of the city’s unique identity over the years. OkCredit will further directly support these retailers who have now been impacted by the ongoing pandemic; to grow their business and expand their reach by helping them to go digital.

    OkCredit  co-founder & CEO Harsh Pokharna said, “We are pleased to associate with Delhi Capitals as their Principal Sponsor in the upcoming IPL Season. IPL enjoys a humungous response each year and through this partnership, we hope to reach the nook and corner of our country and take a step forward in the vision of creating a Digital India. We look forward to the tournament and wish the team all the best.”

    Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals CEO  Dhiraj Malhotra said, “We are delighted to have OkCredit onboard as the Official Digital Credit Ledger of Delhi Capitals. This pandemic has again highlighted the importance of going digital for both big and small businesses. OkCredit's innovative digital ledger will provide great utility to local businesses as they recover from the lockdown. I want to thank the entire team at OkCredit for extending their valuable support.”

    The Delhi Capitals’ ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign powered by OkCredit will go live building up to this year’s edition of the IPL celebrating and supporting local businesses that contributed to our city’s colourful culture. OkCredit’s digital solutions will help them adapt to the changing world while preserving their roots and heritage.

  • Local paint industry looking at bright future: Kamdhenu Paint’s Saurabh Agarwal

    Local paint industry looking at bright future: Kamdhenu Paint’s Saurabh Agarwal

    NEW DELHI: The Indian paint idustry, pegged at Rs 50,000 crore in total value, is coping with tough times these days, consequent to the extended lockdown condition and interrupted economic activities in the country. According to Kamdhenu Paints director Saurabh Agarwal, the prospect for the industry is not going to be good for the current year.

    “The pandemic and lockdown conditions enforced throughout the country has caused significant problems to local businesses having to maintain their fixed expense such as salary payments to their staffs, rental obligations of shops or offices etc. Further, local business is also looking at a massive shortage in the availability of labour in the markets as migrant workers have left the cities and head to their home towns,” he told Indiantelevision.com.

    However, Agarwal believes that the industry is looking at a bright future ahead as there will be tremendous growth prospect for all Indian paint companies, courtesy the ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign, initiated by the Indian government.

    He told Indiantelevision.com that the paint industry is greatly dominated by Indian players. “Domestic brands have a market share of about 75 per cent to 80 per cent of the paints industry while the rest is made up by international companies operating in the country. The promotion of the ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign will have a positive impact on Indian paint companies as branded customers will now be focusing on domestic companies rather than going for products of international players.”

    The brand has taken extensively to raise the support and awareness towards the motto of popularising local brands in India. It also launched a new social media campaign to amplify the message of buying local and self-reliance.

    Agarwal shared, “The main idea behind the various social media campaigns that we undertake is to support the call made by our PM. It is a good opportunity for all Indian industry to come forward and support this campaign. It is also our moral duty to encourage our fellow countrymen to buy only 'Made in India' products.”

    He showed confidence in the fact that with such campaigns, Kamdhenu Paints will be able to add new consumers to its portfolio.

    Elaborating more on the consumer behaviour towards the local brands, Agarwal quipped, “Consumer buying behaviour can be broadly categorised into two. One category is the brand-conscious buyer that will only buy brand names and the other is the price-conscious buyer who will buy products that give him the biggest bang for the buck. By adopting better standards in the manufacturing process local brands can produce competitive products with quality that are at par with the best. Improving quality in production by local brands can attract both the brand-conscious buyer and the price-conscious buyer as high-quality local brands will be available to consumers at very economical prices which suits their pocket.”

    Agarwal also praised the government support, which has been extended in the past few weeks. “The government has announced a very good package for the economy. I am sure it will have a positive impact on economic recovery as we come out of the lockdown restrictions. The result may however not be visible instantly as the impact of the initiative will take some time to percolate through.”

    However, he also feels that as we emerge from the shadows of the lockdown and the economy slowly begins to pick up, the government needs to do more as this is not a one-shot cure and more needs to be done to prop up the economy.

    He concluded, “The government can look at giving some relaxations in tax slab that can help cushion everyone from the impact of the pandemic. They might consider giving some relaxation in tax slab for all individual, an interest waiver for full-year on EMI of all types of loans, direct benefit transfer of some amount directly to low salary workers in both organised and unorganised sector, compensation of rent for all low-class employee or migrant labourers and arrangement of shelter homes for all migrant workers with provision for food and stay facilities.”