‘Changing Times, Changing Consumers, Changing Rules of Marketing’ came under the scanner at the Consumer 360 seminar organised by the Nielsen Company in Mumbai on November 4. Consumer 360 gave some deep insights on what consumers really wanted and how brands could adapt to those needs through various mediums.
Revving up things in the motorcycle business, the iconic Royal Enfield on November 4, 2009, expanded its portfolio with the launch of the Classic 500 Classic 350. The company is looking at 15 per cent growth this year. More than advertising in the mass media, Royal Enfield is looking at indulging in various riding activities to create a connect with biking enthusiasts in India.
Mediaedge:cia (MEC) has appointed Rashna Pochkhanawala as National Director – MEC Interaction. Prior to this, she was General Manager – Digital at Hungama Digital Media. In her new role, Pochkhanawala will report to T Gangadhar, Managing Director, MEC India, and to Ben Poole, Head of MEC Interaction, Asia-Pacific.
There was no doubt in the fact that the star of the first day of the CASBAA Convention 2009, which kicked off on November 9, was Essel Group’s Subhash Chandra. Right from the acceptance of the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award to the conversation with Turner Broadcasting’s Steve Marcopoto, where Chandra said that he would retire in a year or two to do better things than making money, the house-full session was the most engaging discussion of the day.
The CASBAA Convention 2009 kicked off full-fledged on November 4, 2009 at the hotel Grand Hyatt in Hong Kong. The opening address of the event was made by CASBAA Chairman Marcel Fenez. This was followed by discussions in the course of the day on various aspects of the subscription television broadcasting business.
Big Street, the out-of-home division of Reliance Media World Ltd, has entered into a marketing alliance for the 50 LED displays in Delhi that are managed by International Techno Media (ITM). This strategic alliance will see the specialised team planning and building content strategy for the screens.
Reliance Media World Ltd has elevated Tarun Katial to the post of Chief Executive Officer of Big FM with immediate effect. He was COO, Big FM, prior to this elevation. Katial will now report to the Board of Directors and continue to be responsible for the radio business, that is, Big FM along with the SBUs – Big Live, Big Reach, Big Street and Big Events.
After a nearly four-year stint with Red FM, Abraham Thomas has quit the FM station as COO. Thomas had reportedly put in his papers three months ago and had been serving his notice period since then. It is also learnt that an internal mail on Thomas’s departure has been sent out to the Red FM staff. No announcement has been made so far on Thomas’ replacement.
The two-day World Brand Congress 2009 got underway in Mumbai on November 4. Day One concluded with the Global Awards for Brand Excellence, wherein awards were given away in 15 categories. World Brand Congress is presented by Hindustan Times and Canon, while Fly Kingfisher is the associate partner and domestic partner, and BigAdda its exclusive social networking partner.
Repudiating reports that have appeared in a section of the media that it had decided on a media agency, auto major General Motors has clarified that it was in the final stages of the pitch process and was yet to decide on an agency. Meanwhile, there is no review of its creative duties either and Leo Burnett and Wieden+Kennedy will continue to handle the account. The size of the business is pegged at Rs 100 crore.
Health and hygiene company Zodhita Health Solutions Pvt Ltd has appointed Mumbai-based Boiling Point Communications to handle its creative duties and Orion PR as its PR agency to promote and position the company and its brands in the Indian market. The company has earmarked a marketing budget of Rs 10 crore.
Insurance company Aviva has shortlisted five agencies for its global media planning and buying account. ZenithOptimedia, Maxus, Carat, OMD and Initiative are participating in the business estimated to be worth Rs 25 crore. In India, the media duties are currently being handled by ZenithOptimedia.
TAM data for the ongoing India-Australia ODI series, in the all India market, CS 4+ years, show an average TVR of 2.30 on Neo Cricket for the first three matches played on October 25, 28 and 31. With the series poised at an exciting juncture, media planners feel these ratings would go up further and say that even the current ratings are good as compared to Champions League and Champions Trophy.