Marketing review

Motorola continues commitment to India
Motorola has opened its branded Motostore in Mumbai along with the global opening of such stores. The company says the opening of the Motostore demonstrates Motorola's commitment to addressing the emerging and growing needs of India's mobile consumers and builds on the company's already strong presence and expansion across the Indian market.

The company said the Motostores are designed to help Indian consumers get more out of their Motorola products.

Motorola says it has spent over two years deeply engaged in a global research and development effort around the new retail concept, and has come up with an approach that is centred around the consumer.

The store will offer access to interactive experiences and exclusive content, as well as personalisation services such as mobile phone tattoos and personal phone etching.

Fun is a core element of the stores, offering users an opportunity to personalise their phones using laser etching, customised "phone tattoos," and Bluetooth photo-imaging, as well as unique in-store training programs and on-site factory authorised technicians to aid with questions and service.

A team of in-store Motoexperts are also on hand to help customers understand the latest technology and get the best solution for their needs.

Crocodile to open seven stores
Coimbatore-based garment manufacturing and export firm S P Apparels Ltd, which retails Crocodile products in India, plans to roll out seven company-owned Crocodile stores in the country by April.

The stores would be opened in cities including Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, company officials said. The total number is expected to increase to 12 stores in the next 12 months. The company today inaugurated its third retail store here and said i t would open one more here shortly.

"We plan to introduce new collections for men's formal wear as well as emerging fashion collections for young upwardly techno savvy youth," Mr P Sundararajan, Managing Director of Crocodile Products Pvt Ltd said.

Inorbit mall celebrates its 3rd birthday with an around the world tour
The Inorbit Mall in Mumbai celebrates its third birthday with an exciting bash from 9 th February, 07 to 28th February, 07.

The event is open to all Inorbit visitors through a major part of the month and will consist of a series of exciting games and spot quizzes to be held within the spacious mall premises in Malad, Mumbai.

These will be based on different countries around the globe such as intriguing Dubai, alluring Italy, fascinating Egypt, and breathtaking New Zealand among others.

Performances centered on the different countries' themes will be a part of this exhilarating fete where the customers are also invited to shake a leg to grooving music.

In addition to this, customers can shop at the retail stores in the mall and get a chance to go on an all paid trip to Himachal, Kashmir or Malaysia!

Coca-Cola launches "Minute Maid Pulpy Orange"
Coca-Cola in India has launched juice and juice drink brand 'Minute Maid.'

The company says Minute Maid Pulpy Orange" is a naturally refreshing juice drink which offers an unmatched taste experience to consumers due to the presence of real "Orange Pulp".

Minute Maid Pulpy Orange is available in two PET pack sizes- On-the-go 400 ml and 1 liter bottle, priced at Rs 25 and Rs 60 respectively.

The first of its kind innovation by Coca-Cola is targeted at young adults on the lookout for a naturally refreshing, juice drink. The focus initially would be to target young adults in key cities and then move into the rest of the country.

As part of the same strategy, Coca-Cola India is launching Minute Maid Pulpy Orange in a phased manner, starting first with the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

The company has drawn an aggressive consumer activation campaign to market Minute Maid Pulpy Orange in the three southern Indian states.

The 360 degree marketing communication plan involves organizing road shows including extensive experiential sampling sessions in markets, offices, malls, colleges, all backed by a range of exciting contests.

Complimenting the on ground initiatives, TV commercials bringing out the "Refreshingly Orange, Surprisingly Pulpy" proposition of the Minute Maid brand would also be aired on all leading channels in the South.

Britannia to test-market curd
Britannia Milkman will soon begin test-marketing it's Daily Fresh Dahi in Bangalore, "in line with the emerging trends of quality, convenience and wellness that consumers are seeking, coupled with newer retail formats.

Products that were "made at home" now have a growing presence in the branded and packaged goods segment. Consumers are increasingly seeking products for a healthier lifestyle and Daily Fresh Dahi caters to that."

Britannia Milkman range of dairy products, include cheese, butter, ghee and dairy whitener.

Lux inches up to be on par with Lifebuoy in HLL's soaps portfolio
The Lux brand now has an almost equal market share as Hindustan Lever's largest selling soap brand — Lifebuoy. According to AC Nielsen's estimates, Lifebuoy has a value share of 18.1 per cent while Lux has increased its market share to 17.9 per cent this month.

The company roped in Shah Rukh Khan last year to feature in its campaign and also launched a number of new variants of Lux brand. The spiked body-uplifting and the new aqua and white glow variants gave the 75-year old brand a new lease of life last year.

Then there were special edition packs featuring the actresses over the years with variants under names such as chocolate and aromatic glow. Even region- specific variants such as festival glow were launched specifically for the southern markets.

Apart from this the company reduced the Liril variants and phased out the Fair & Lovely soap. HLL has also been beefing up its body wash and hand wash offerings with more variants under the Lux and Lifebuoy brand.

ICICI Bank ties up with Sarovar Hotels' to launch co-branded card
Mumbai: ICICI Bank has tied up with Sarovar Hotels to launch a co-branded credit card. Customers can use the card to get 30 per cent discount on room tariffs at select Sarovar hotels and 15 per cent discount at Sarovar restaurants.

ICICI bank has around 7 million credit card customers and enjoys a market share of around 35 per cent.

Sarovar Hotels has around 36 hotels across the country and 20 properties under development.

Dabur Foods to launch new products under Real brand
New Delhi: Dabur Foods, subsidiary of FMCG company Dabur India is considering launching products like processed, cut fruits and jams under the Real brand. The company is also planning to foray into the ready-to-eat category under its Hommade brand.

The company plans to invest Rs 100 crore over the next three years to expand and upgrade capacities at its manufacturing facilities, in order to double revenues to Rs 500 crore by 2010. Out of the total amount, around Rs 30 crore will be spent on brand-building.

The focus of the company will be on three brands: Real, Activ and Coolers.

Dabur Foods also unveiled its new look Real Juices as part of its 10th year celebrations of the brand and the food business that was flagged off in February 1997. The company currently sells 12 flavours under its Real brand that includes the recent inclusion of its mausambi and pomegranate variants.

The company also plans to increase focus on Indian flavours to boost the growth of its three fruit based juice and drinks brands.

SBI Life launches pension product
Kolkata: SBI Life has launched a new pension product with a "guaranteed addition" that enables allocation of units to enhance an insured person's retirement kitty.

Unit Plus II Pension is positioned as a non-participating unit-linked plan allowing policy holders to increase regular premium or make top-up payments. Policyholders, who can also select the vesting age, will have the option of advancing or postponing the vesting age.

SBI Life also provides a number of options - equity, bond, growth and balanced. An insured person can either switch or re-direct funds.

SBI Life has recently launched a pension plan - Horizon II - with an automatic asset allocation facility. The plan has so far led to a collection of over Rs 50 crore in new business premium.

Sansui ropes in Dravid as brand ambassador
Mumbai: Sansui has signed up Rahul Dravid as brand ambassador for its range of television and home theatre systems.

The company is launching a multimedia brand campaign across all media platforms with the cricketer endorsing the Sansui range of products.

According to the company "It has always been Sansui's vision to bring the best in entertainment technology to the country. With this campaign we are charting a new path of sustained precision, quality and constant innovation."

Angel Industry launches X-wheel
Angel Industry based in Aurangabad has launched the X-wheel, which mean the two spare wheels on which the motorcycle can be taken to the nearest mechanic. The company has also been awarded a patent for the innovation.

According to the company the product can be used only if the rear wheel gets punctured; it must be attached to the rear wheel assembly of motorcycles. He also said that the X-wheel for front wheels is in the last stages of development.

The company said the product will be available at Rs375 per set and would be a boon for motorcyclists driving long distances within the city and rural areas.

Citymax ties up with celeb chef Sanjeev Kapoor
Citymax, the hospitality brand of the Dubai-based retail chain, the Landmark Group, has taken over the global franchise rights of three restaurant brands of celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor which include Khazana Fine Indian Dining, Grain of Salt and The Yellow Chilli.

Ravi Saxena, managing director, Citymax, said the objective is to serve the growing demand for Indian cuisine across the world. In India, in spite of various international brands being present and gaining widespread popularity, Indian cuisine remains the preferred choice and will continue to remain so.

At the same time, thanks to its rich heritage, Indian cuisine is becoming increasingly popular across many parts of the world."

Blue Dart launches `Import Express'
Blue Dart has tied up with DHL to introduce `Import Express,' a one-stop-shop solution that allows imports with one invoice, one currency, one account and one bill.

The integrated air express, courier and package distribution company is also expanding the fleet of its dedicated airline, Blue Dart Aviation, from seven aircraft to eight by the year end to provide in time deliveries from `envelopes to charter loads' to its customers.

The company said this was due to the increased demand for inbound and outbound shipments from the city.

Import Express covers pick up, export from origin, express international transportation, destination customs clearance, and delivery to the customer's door and all of this at transparent pricing.

Pantaloons and Femina Miss India tie up for beauty pageant
Femina Miss India and Pantaloons, have joined hands to find the potent combination of beauty and brains in India. 'The 44th Femina Miss India Pageant', has started its search for beauties, who will represent India at international pageants such as Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Asia Pacific, this year.

Kishore Biyani, managing director, Pantaloon Retail (India) said, "The new Indian woman is conscious of her image, her fashion, as well as her abilities, and is playing a larger role in the society today. We feel that both Pantaloons and Femina are both, strong brands, catering to the needs and aspirations of this woman. Pantaloons, has therefore decided to be associated with the Femina Miss India pageant."

Started 44 years ago, Femina Miss India is the oldest and the most credible beauty pageant in India. Since it first began, the Femina Miss India pageant has changed from finding the prettiest face in the country to finding a set of women having the level of finesse and class required to compete internationally.

Big Bazaar presents 'The Great Exchange Offer'
Big Bazaar has launched a unique exchange offer — Viz: 'Bring anything old and take anything new!' offer.

The offer will start on 15th February and will be on till 11th March at all the stores, across the country.

Under this exchange offer old garments, utensils, furniture, plastic ware, newspapers or just about anything that is unwanted can be exchanged. These goods will be weighed and valued and the customers will be given exchange coupons.

One can avail great shopping value by exchanging any old item in any condition, and shop at Big Bazaar in return.

The products are weighed and valued against attractive prices as below -

The rates are as follows:

Big Bazaar will weigh the junk brought by the customer; value it as per the rates mentioned above and issue exchange coupons for that value. The customer will have to shop for 4 times the value of the coupon. The coupon can be redeemed against apparel, plastics, utensils, linen, luggage, footwear, toys, furniture and much more.

Big Bazaar also offers direct exchange on mobile and electronic goods through out the offer period. Customers can buy brand new mobiles and electronic goods in exchange of their old ones, and avail of attractive discounts on their new purchases.