Marketing review

Horlicks launched in a new Toffee flavour
A creamy toffee taste with all the benefits of Horlicks' nourishment, is GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare's latest addition to the company's existing range of its nutritional supplement, in a new Toffee flavour.

According to the company, toffee Horlicks will provide consumers with a tasty, creamy toffee flavour combined with all the benefits of Horlicks nourishment. Toffee Horlicks is a vegetarian product and will be available in a 500gm jar pack priced at Rs.113 across North and West India and at Rs.110 in South and East India.

Horlicks is also available in five flavours, including Chocolate, Vanilla, Honey Buzz, Standard and Elaichi.

Dhoni the next sports icon
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, in the tradition of cricket players, is all set to hit the big time after his unbeatable score of 148 runs off 128 balls. Kolkata-based celebrity management company, Gameplan Sports, has signed on Dhoni and the firm has already received enquiries from sponsors.

Saif Ali to endorse Newport jeans
Newport, positioned in the popular segment among denim wear, will soon be endorsed by Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan. Newport will soon come out with a new campaign revolving around the theme `Saif's Style Fundas'.

According to the company, Indian youth is more fashion conscious than ever before. The awareness is fuelled by stylish Bollywood movies. Saif is one of the most fashionable and popular stars in Bollywood scene.

Newport jeans are priced upwards of Rs399, and will soon be available across 2000 multi-brand outlets and over 80 exclusive shops. The brand reported a trade turnover of Rs36 crore in 2004-05 and is hoping to jump to Rs85 crore in the current financial year.

Singapore Airlines launches new promotion
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has come out with a new promotion covering dining, shopping, and entertainment on its Boarding Pass Privileges programme during April, May, and June.

According to the airline, to avail of discounts at hotels, shops, restaurants, lifestyle and leisure outlets passengers have to present their SIA boarding passes (first, raffles and economy) within seven days of their flights.

The 'boarding pass privileges programme' includes 75 per cent discounts at Raffles International, Millennium and Copthorne hotels and resorts located at 25 cities in 18 countries worldwide.

In the city of Singapore, passengers can avail of discounts at the Tung Lok Group outlets or at the restaurants, cafes and bars of Raffles Hotel, Singapore. Discounts can also had at the F&B outlets of the Orchard Hotel, Grand Copthorne Waterfront, M Hotel, Copthorne King's and Copthorne Orchid in Singapore.

SIA passengers can also avail discounts and vouchers while shopping at Raffles City Shopping Centre, Wisma Atria, Royal Selangor or on Kris Shop (in-Flight Shopping).

P&G cuts prices of Tide bar
Procter & Gamble (P&G) is cutting prices again. This time it has cut the prices of its Tide detergent bar by Rs3 for the 200-gm pack and Rs1.50 for the 125-gm pack.

According to the company the discount being offered is a short-term consumer promotion meant to generate trials. Tide powder detergent will not be included in this promotion.

Major players in the detergent market include Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL) with Rin Supreme, Rin Advanced and Wheel; Nirma and Ghadi. HLL's Rin Supreme bar is priced at the premium end of the market at Rs16.50 for 250 gm and Rs8.50 for 125 gm while Wheel, Ghadi and Nirma are at the lower end. Rin Advanced provides tough competition to Tide.

Reva introduces new concept car
Reva Electric Car Company has launched a new concept car, Reva-NXG, in Monaco in collaboration with automobile designer, Dilip Chhabria, and Simputer developer, Encore Software.

A press statement from Reva describes `REVA-NXG' as a two-seater roadster with an extended range of 200km per charge and a speed of 120 km per hour.

Priya Food launches scheme for PriyaGold biscuits
PriyaGold brand biscuits manufacturer, Surya Food & Agro, is aggressively promoting its brand with the launch of a scheme titled Khaao Aur Khelo.

According to the scheme, on every purchase of Rs50 and above worth of PriyaGold biscuits, customers will receive a free gift coupon, enabling him to become eligible for a prize.

The first prize will be a Mercedes Benz car, followed by Maruti Alto (five second prizes), Tanishq Jewellery (10 third prizes) and a Compaq Laptop (10 fourth prizes).

Dainik Jagran launches Channel 7
Dainik Jagran has launched its news channel, Channel 7. The channel at present under the test run period is being beamed to 15 million homes.

Also available on Zee's DTH platform Dish TV the channel's programmes are being telecast with the assistance of 250 TV journalists from Channel 7's network of 25 live bureaus across the country, apart from an exclusive countrywide network of Dainik Jagran contributors, and 3,000 Jagran journalists, is supporting this team across 320 districts in the country.

Channel 7 has planned print media, radio, outdoor and Internet campaigns to market and promote the channel, from April 7.

Ford runs its 1,00,000^th Ikon from Chennai plant
After nearly six years of launch the 1,00,000th Ikon rolled out from Ford India's plant at Maraimalai Nagar, in Chennai and to mark the occasion the company has launched "Josh100" limited edition celebration series.

Available across the full Ford Ikon line-up, the Josh100 celebratory cars will offer features like a premium audio system, leather-vinyl seat covers, fog lamps, remote entry and anti-theft alarm system, said a Ford India press release.

The Josh100 series will be available for a limited period at dealerships across the country.

The 1.3 Josh100 is priced at Rs 5.18 lakh ex-showroom Chennai, the 1.6 EXi at Rs 5.55 lakh and the 1.6 ZXi at Rs 5.99 lakh.

Hyundai launches SUV Tucson
Hyundai Motor India has launched its second SUV called Tucson in India and is aiming for sales 150-200 vehicle per month.

Tuscan, which is being brought in as a completely built unit (CBU), would be priced at Rs14.3 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and Rs15.8 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai).

Hyundai Motor also markets SUV Terracan in India and says that the Terracan and Tucson are different vehicles. While Terracan is a full-fledged SUV, Tucson is a softer SUV and complements as a car, a SUV and a MPV.

Powered by a 2-litre CRDi diesel engine, Tucson comes with `torque on demand' four-wheel drive combining both automatic and manual drive.

Tuscon will compete with the Ford Endeavour, and Honda CR-V.

Voltas launches new range of ACs
Cooling appliances company, Voltas has launched a 0.8-tonne split AC at Rs15,990 along with two 1.5-tonne split ACs in the price range of Rs23,000 to Rs25,000. The company also launched three models of window ACs in the price range of Rs14,500 to Rs70,000 and will spend Rs20 crore on its advertising and promotion.

Last year, Voltas had launched a sub-one tonne window AC at Rs9,990.

Voltas Ltd is exploring the possibility of setting up a manufacturing plant for air conditioners in excise free zones set up by the government at a likely investment of about Rs 80 crore.

The company is examining locations like Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh.

The company expects its turnover to rise by 18-20 per cent in 2004-05, over a sales turnover of about Rs1,200 crore last year.

— Compiled by Mohini Bhatnagar