As the 2008 Olympic Games approach, sponsors are figuring out how to capitalize on the event's location in one of the world's hottest markets.
Bottled water major Bisleri, apart from launching enhanced water in the domestic market, is now in the process of entering the US market with flavoured water and vitamin water.
Helped by increased demand during the festive season, almost all car manufacturers recorded a double-digit growth in sales during October.
Contextual advertising took an interesting turn with online creative agency Media2win creating a dynamic search campaign for MSN India, touted as the first of its kind in India. The campaign is currently running on Google search.
The aMap OMS Audience Research Laboratory works with experts in social sciences, psychology, anthropology, advocacy and marketing research to bring in different dimensions for exploiting audience research data. The beneficiaries of this research include advertisers, media planners, broadcasters, social scientists, academic institutions.
Svetleena Choudhary, Media Director at Initiative, has put in her papers. She is joining Adidas India as Manager-Media, Consumer Insight & Loyalty. In her new role, Choudhary will be responsible for all aspects of media strategy development and activity planning for the Adidas brand in India, as well as CRM related activities.
There are three winners from India at the London International Advertising Awards (LIAA) 2006: JWT’s ‘Slim’ for Levi’s in the Print (Apparel) category; the agency’s entry ‘Note’ for client Apollo Tyres in Print (Automotive Products) category; and O&M for its work for IAPA adoption comprising ‘Bed’, ‘Book’, ‘Toys’ in the Public Service/Social Welfare (Campaign) competition.
Gujarati daily Divya Bhaskar stepped up its Rajkot edition to a full fledged one from November 1, 2006. This move made by Bhaskar group not only consolidates its position in Ahmedabad, Surat and Baroda, but also strengthens its position in Gujarat as a whole.
The eighth annual edition of the Gunn Report has been announced. The Report combines winners’ lists from the most important awards contests to establish the annual, worldwide league tables for the advertising industry. In 2006, India takes the 21st spot in the Report, while JWT’s Slim Jeans campaign and O&M Mumbai’s IAPA Adoption Awareness campaign make it to the most awarded print ads list.
Sun TV Ltd has announced that its flagship channel, Sun TV, will be a pay channel with effect from December 2, 2006. The rate for the cable operators for Sun TV will be Rs 12 per month per subscriber.
With reference to our report “Coca-Cola announces launch of Minute Maid, Schweppes; O&M to handle accounts”, that appeared on October 27, 2006, Capt Nikhil Baswan, in a retraction on behalf of the company, has clarified that the Minute Maid creative account is being handled by Leo Burnett.
Ex-Yahoo! India Country General Manager, Neville Taraporewalla, has joined Connecturf, a web solutions and digital marketing company, as Managing Director and CEO. The current CEO, V Ramani, will now function as Vice-chairman of the group.
Optimum Media Solutions (OMS), the independent media agency belonging to the Mudra Group, has been appointed the media agency for luxury brand Ravissant. OMS will be handling the entire media planning, buying and implementation for the premium lifestyle brand.
After acquiring majority stake in Bangalore-based design agency Ray + Keshavan, WPP is now looking at merging Bates Enterprise and David in the region. Sources close to the development have said that WPP was constantly in talks with both the agencies and a clear picture would emerge in less than a week’s time.
Cricket still scores in India despite the dismal show of the Men in Blue. TVRs of the second week of cricket action from the ICC Champions Trophy 2006 are in and MAX has some positive numbers to show for the Live cricket action and its property Extraaa Innings.
Zenith Optimedia, the media agency of Publicis Group, has added three new businesses to its roster – Oberoi Group of hotels, Aviva Life Insurance and AOL. The size of the total business has been pegged in the region of Rs 8 crore.