Marketing review

Jet Airways operates 'flight of fantasy' on children's day
Mumbai: Jet Airways operated a 'Flight of Fantasy' for underprivileged children in association with GE Elfun volunteers who sponsored the children from Magic Bus organisation and Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA). Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) and Oberoi Flight Services partnered the event. Children from the Tata Memorial Centre were also among those invited for Jet Airways' Flight of Fantasy.

The experience began with the children checking in at the airport followed by light snacks and beverages courtesy Oberoi Flight Services. There was an orientation of the airport building conducted by Jet Airways' personnel. The young passengers were entertained by artists brought in especially for the event. The children then boarded Jet Airways' next generation aircraft Boeing 737-800 for a 40-minute experience above the clouds.

The Flight of Fantasy was made possible with the cooperation of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) which provided the fuel for the flight among other gifts for the kids and Oberoi Airport Services, a unit of EIH (The Oberoi Group).

Coca-Cola offers Delhiites chances with Bollywood's 'Neal 'n Nikki'
Coca-Cola India is offering Delhi-wallahs the chance of a lifetime at the Neal 'n' Nikki Naughty Nite. Ten very special will get a chance to dine with Bollywood stars Uday Chopra and Tanishaa on November 23, 2005. To get the special offer consumers have to grab a Coca-Cola from any one of the Coca-Cola stalls set up at the India International Trade Fair grounds aat New Delhi's Pragati Maidan between November 14 and November23, 2005, and could get a chance to meet the Neal 'n' Nikki duo.

The company says Neal 'n' Nikki is a movie for the young at heart and spirit and what better place to catch this spirit than at India's largest trade fair. This initiative will offer a unique and youthful experience to those who are young at heart.

The company will distribute 5,000 prizes in just two weeks, with gifts ranging from invites to the Nikki 'n' Neal Naughty Nite, free Nikki 'n' Neal Audio Tapes, Click-with-Aamir where winners can get a picture of themselves with the star.

CNBC-TV18 launches series of market programme
CNBC-TV18 has launched a series of stock market-related programmes in the 12:00 noon to 2.30pm. The programmes include Money Market Update, Houseviews, F&O Trends, Stock in News, Commodity Update, Mid-Cap CEO Calls and Small Cap Radar.

While Money Market Update informs viewers about the latest developments related to bonds, the state of the Indian rupee, auctions and global currencies, Houseviews relates to new brokerage stock ideas and gives viewers top brokerage ratings and strategy reports as well as features a well known brokerage house.

Mid Cap CEO Calls is an interactive session with management from various companies can call and interact with the anchor while Small Cap Radar is reportedly an action driven segment, which advises viewers on which stocks to buy and those that can be avoided. Public Offer Corner reportedly evaluates new IPOs, to make it easy for prospective shareholders to take decisions.

VIP to focus on soft luggage
VIP Industries, known more for its moulded bags and suitcases is increasing focus on soft luggage and is targeting sales worth Rs90 crore this fiscal from this product segment.
Soft luggage, which currently contributes 35 per cent to the company's overall revenue, would in the coming years, contribute close to 75 per cent said the company.

The soft luggage market is growing by nearly 35 per cent on the back of a booming travel industry. The segment, which has always been considered premium, is now available at affordable price. The company is offering its premium range under the brand of Delsey.

Growth in the hard luggage segment has remained stagnant but this segment contributes to exports, as VIP and Samsonite are the only two hard luggage brands in the world.

LG India to push sales of notebooks
LG Electronics India (LGEIL) is pushing sales of notebook computers and is targeting sales of 15,000 units in 2006.

The company has launched a range of premium products including a notebook computer, car style GSM mobile handset and a next-generation karaoke system in India. The company is offering five notebook computer models priced between Rs75,000 and Rs1.25 lakh and 12 colour handset models. LG will also soon launch a premium range of GSM phones, refrigerators and washing machines.

FritoLay plans foray into low-fat salty snacks
In keeping with the growing health awareness in the country FritoLay, the snacks division of PepsiCo, is introducing low-fat namkeens (salted snacks).

Manu Anand, managing director, FritoLay, Pepsico India Holdings, said the company was committed to healthy snacks but not at the cost of taste, and would go slow in launching the products.

FritoLay recently introduced a low-fat version of Lays potato chips called Lay Stax, made from reconstituted potato flakes, which are available only in select outlets, he said.

FrotoLays' biggest markets are in the Northern and the Western regions while it is consolidating business in the South with its three big brands Lays, Cheetos and Kurkure. It recently launched a new variant in Kurkure, called Hyderabadi Tamatar, to appeal to southern palates.
Among the new products the company has launched in India is Quaker Oats, and the company says that it could look beyond salty snacks and ready-to-eat products if it there is enough potential.

The company is expanding distribution in the Southern region from 50,000 to 1.8 lakh outlets.

Gucci introduces the G Bandeau La Pelle Guccissima.
Gucci has introduced the G Bandeau La Pelle Guccissima, the new special edition watch reflecting the aesthetic codes of Gucci's fashion accessories.

The horsebit — a legendary Gucci symbol — is rendered timeless through superior design and fine workmanship. The leather of the watchstrap is hot-printed, buffed and finished by hand with natural wax. This technique, La Pelle Guccissima, rooted in the brand's passion for craftsmanship, is a sophisticated production process that gives the prints a three dimensional effect.

The uniquely curved band of the watch is available in mystic white, black and wine red. Emphasising the elegant sophistication of this model, the horsebit pattern features also on the two stunning dials in silver and black for a fresh and contemporary appeal.

Funskool launches Beyblade Micro Tops Game
Funskool has launched an all-new Beyblade Micro Tops Battling Game. The company's Beyblade products already a rage in India, are based on the popular show being aired on Cartoon Network. The game is priced at Rs299.

The game is for two players and targeted at children above the age of six years. Funskool's Beyblade Micro Tops Battling Game will be available at all leading toy stores across the country.

Carbon presents a diamond-studded night sky
Mumbai: Carbon Accessories, has launched a collection comprising ear tops and pendants where each diamond is set in a multiple shared prong setting that makes a number of small diamonds appear larger.

Much like the glitter created by the starlit night sky, the collection comprises matching ear tops and pendants for women. The collection is priced at Rs5,950 onwards for pendants and Rs11,950 for ear tops and is available at exclusive Carbon boutiques across the country and MBOs like Shoppers Stop, Lifestyle, Westside, Pantaloons and other leading retail outlets.

Kathikeyan to continue with endorsements despite a loss at Formula One
Narayan Karthikeyan will continue to be the ambassador for the seven brands he endorses, even though he looks certain to lose his place in the Midland, formerly Jordan, team next season.

Sources say that the seven companies whose brands he is endorsing have different contract periods, which would not be changed over the chances of his not being an F1 driver next season. The brands Karthikeyan endorses include JK Tyres, Tata Group, Bharat Petroleum, Amaron (batteries), Reebok, JCB and Raymond.

— Compiled by Mohini Bhatnagar