Marketing review

Music lovers to get a bonanza
Vh1, an MTV Networks India channel, which claims to be the country's only international music and lifestyle channel is offering viewers the chance, to attend the 'Hip Hop Honours 2005' awards in New York and also to win a special invitation to an invitees-only 'Bon Jovi listening session' for its new album in Amsterdam.

'Hip Hop Honors 2005' is the world's biggest celebration of the best Hip Hop talent, and one winner from India, along with a companion, will get a chance to witness the programme in glitzy New York. The winner will also be treated to an all access visit, literally, right from pre-show rehearsals to backstage access and then the final show itself with the world's "baddest" and most entertaining hip hop stars!

To be a part of these shows viewers have to SMS HHH to 6882 and answer a few questions.
Other prizes include an Apple iPod, as a daily prize, but the biggest and the best is the chance to win an 'All Access at Hip Hop Honors 2005'.

Vh1's 'Ticket 2 Ride' contest gives viewers the chance to win an all-expenses paid trip for two to Amsterdam to attend an exclusive listening session with the Jersey Boys! The winner, along with a companion, will be the first to hear tracks from Bon Jovi's latest album "Have a Nice Day".

Those interested have to visit Coffee Day Xpress, Sify Max and Planet M and get a scratch card which could get you discounts on the new album CD, posters, Spykar goodies, vouchers from Speed or kick-ass Bon Jovi merchandise. Or spot the Bon Jovi Smiley featured on the new album
cover on Vh1 and SMS JBJ to 6882.

Goodlass Nerolac launches Nerolac Beauty Emulsion
Goodlass Nerolac Paints has launched Nerolac Beauty Emulsion (NBE) priced on par with distemper making it the most economical emulsion brands available in the market today.

According to the company, Nerolac Beauty Emulsion is a result of a lot of research and development and is a means to bridge the gap of customer needs to get an emulsion at the price of distemper. The product is available in 1-litre, 4-litre, 10 and 20-litre packs at an approximate cost of Rs90 per litre. This emulsion is long lasting as compared to distemper and it is available in a range of pastel shades for the customer to choose from.

Emulsion is the most popular paint for Interiors due to the fact that it is water based and has less smell, dries comparatively quickly and is easy to apply. They are more "hardwearing" than traditional paint products and give a smoother, richer finish to walls.

Titan plans mass jewellery brand
Titan Industries plans mass jewellery brand to cater to the Indian buyers' unmet need for gold of reliable caratage and resale value.

According to the company the average Indian buys more gold than any other consumer in the world and Titan Industries sees this as a golden opportunity for a new mass-market jewellery brand.

The size of the Indian jewellery market is estimated at Rs55,000-crore and is amongst the most unorganised ion the world. The plan is sell plain gold jewellery sourced locally from vetted vendors and endorsed by the Tata brand to win customers over from small local jewellers.

The company is planning to open a pilot store in the South next month. Titan's jewellery business is growing at over 26 per cent and contributed Rs535.01 crore to total revenues, compared with Rs601.59 crore by the time products business.

NDTV to tie up with Malaysian broadcaster
The Prannoy Roy-promoted New Delhi Television (NDTV) has entered into an agreement with Astro Broadcast Corporation that proposes to establish a joint venture company to set up and broadcast 24-hour channels in South-east Asia.

NDTV will be a minority partner in the joint venture with a stake of up to 20 per cent in the company.

Analysts say NDTV is banking on its experience of a news network for ten years.

However, NDTV representatives were not available to share details of the deal, including the proposed investment.

Brooke Bond launches herbal tea
Hindustan Lever (HLL), has launched flavoured packaged tea leaves under its Brooke Bond brand.

Labelled `Brooke Bond Red Label Natural Care' the category has five herbal flavours including adrak, ashwaghandha, mulethi (yashthimadhu), elaichi and tulsi and is targeted at families seeking a `wellness beverage' in their daily lives.

The product would be available in two carton sizes, 250gm and 100gm. While the 250 g pack would be available for Rs53, the 100gm trial pack would be available for Rs20.

IOB to distribute Tata Mutual products
Indian Overseas Bank has tied up with Tata Mutual Fund for distributing the latter's schemes to shore up its fee-based income and increase the bank's customer base.

Pantaloon plans to set up beauty parlours
The Rs650-crore Pantaloon Retail (India) is planning to start its own beauty parlours at the Big Bazaar outlets.

According to the company Pantaloon will set up beauty parlours for men as well as women with services being offered at a `discount' compared to the existing market rates, in line with the Big Bazaar's concept of a discount store.

Heinz to focus on sauces in India
Heinz India, after selling off the Farex brand of baby food to Dumex, is consolidating its foods portfolio in India. It intends to continue to market the rest of its acquired brands from the Glaxo stable — Nycil, Complan and Glucon D — along with its flagship ketchup brand, which it introduced nearly six years ago. Heinz is also actively looking at other brands in the Indian market through acquisitions and is planning to launch ethnic sauces and condiments to suit the Indian palate.

The company says it exited the baby food brand as the active promotion of baby food has been banned in India. It now wants to focus on areas where it has its strengths and that is in sauces.

Heinz intends to have a mix of locally produced as well as imported products in its portfolio. Recently it imported a chilly tomato sauce from its Thailand-based subsidiary and there are plans to introduce more ethnic brands in its sauces stable soon.

AI offers special discounted fares for senior citizens
India's flagship carrier, Air India will now offer senior citizens special fares. Senior citizens traveling from India to USA, Canada, London, Birmingham, Paris and Frankfurt can now avail of special discounted fares for outbound travel period September 16, 2005, to March 31, 2006.

Air India is the only international carrier offering discounts to senior citizens ex India.

However, travel is not permitted ex India during January 2006 and into India during December 2005 on these concessional fares.

The discounts will be available for males who are 65 years and above and for females, from the age of 63 years and above.

Marico enters premium male grooming category with Yuvraj Singh as brand Ambassador
Marico has entered into the premium male grooming category with the launch of Parachute After Shower Hair Cream for Men.

The product is the first non-oil extension of Parachute, and is aimed at offering solutions to everyday hair styling needs of men. Parachute After Shower Hair Cream, with Aqua Moisturisers, is completely non-sticky, and has a zingy fragrance, to give a stylish "after shower" look.

Cricketer Yuvraj Singh, has been signed on as the brand ambassador for the product. The new advertisements depict how Yuvraj has his hair well styled, whether he is on the field diving for a catch, or off it having a great time with friends.

Parachute After Shower Hair Cream is being launched pan-India after a successful prototype (test-market) in Mumbai. The product is priced at Rs.29 (50gm tube) and Rs.55 (100gm jar). The packaging is premium, and "very international", says the company.

TVS Motor launches 3 new models
TVS Motor Company has launched three new two-wheeler models which include the Victor Edge motorcycle, featuring a new125cc engine, Star City, a freshly styled 100cc 4-stroke motorcycle and the Scooty Pep+, which has a new 90cc-engine.

The motorcycles would be available nationwide, the scooterette would be initially available only in Maharashtra.

— Compiled by Mohini Bhatnagar