Jyothy Laboratories has signed on Carat Media for its media buying duty. At the same time, it has extended its relation for a second year with Optimum Media Solutions as its strategic media planning partner.
It’s that time of the year again. What makes Cannes Lions the most awaited awards festival? In terms of size, it is easily the biggest advertising awards festival there is. In terms of execution, its pre and post awards activities ensure that it is talked about through the year. And the event itself, we are assured by so many that have been there, is simply the best there is. The International Advertising Festival - Cannes Lions – is now in its 53rd year.
So you’re buying a car? Or an exotic summer holiday package for the entire family? A washing machine, perhaps, to replace the one that’s, well, outlived its lifespan, or an air conditioner? Or Insurance, maybe? You’ve compared prices, specifications, colour, plan, features, whatever, right? And made a decision about what to purchase? Good. But wait. Don’t bring out that cash or credit card yet, because if your toonager or tweenager, or even your tot of a toothager prefers something else, chances are you will change your mind, give up your own selection, and end up buying what your kid prefers.
Soap makers are upping the ante on their premium brands, following a significant jump in demand across urban and rural markets. Premium soaps have been growing at 8-10% vis-a-vis the overall category growth of 5%, while the body wash segment has been growing at 40-50% from a small base.
Jumpin, the fruit juice brand from Godrej Beverages & Foods, is revitalising its brand profile with an innovative and fresh integrated marketing communication plan to tap the rapidly growing juice market in India. It has launched a new campaign that revolves around the Jumpin brand and emphasises a strong association with the fun element of life.
While Print advertising constituted 36% of total advertising in Q1 2006, Print ad space itself grew by 24% over Q1 2005. Southern publications cornered a whopping 38% of print advertising in this period. Overall, Newspapers cornered 96% ad space in Q1 2006, while Hewlett Packard was the highest spending advertiser with 2% share.
Brazil are the overwhelming favourites to win the 2006 World Cup, a recent Synovate survey has found. And it’s no surprise that Brazilian star Ronaldinho is tipped to be named the tournament’s best player. The Synovate study also found that a significant number of women tuned in to the games so they can enjoy watching the men in shorts!
After two automotive titles, ‘Car India’ and ‘Bike India’, Next Gen Publishing Ltd, a venture of the Forbes Group and HDFC Ltd, is gearing up to launch its third title in the same space, called ‘Commercial Vehicle’ in August-September this year.
Italian company Nuance Group is forming a joint venture with Shopper’s Stop to tap the Indian airport retail market. An MoU has been signed by representatives of both the companies in the first week of June 2006.
India might not be fighting for a title in FIFA World Cup 2006, but this tournament has attracted its share of attention in the Indian media, given the initiatives that the Indian print dailies and other niche publications have lined up to cover the World Cup.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” remarked Sunil Lulla, CEO, Times Television, when he explained the course that Times Now has chalked for itself on the completion of 100 days. Stating that the experience so far had given the channel an even better idea on what worked for the Indian audience, Lulla said that the agenda at present consisted of more new properties, geographical expansion and further concentration on distribution.
Rajiv Gopinath has returned to GroupM as Investment Services Director and will be responsible for Central Trading Group’s Mumbai media-buying operations. Gopinath would report to Lakshmi Narasimhan, National Director-Central Trading Group, GroupM.
Vivek Kumar, Regional Director, Maxus Singapore has put in his papers. He will be joining Shell as Head, Brand and Customer Value Proposition teams for Shell Oil Products (Retail) across Asia-Pacific from June 15, 2006. He will be reporting to Brooks W Herring, Global General Manager-Brand and CVP, Shell Oil Products (Retail).
Day 2 at the Outdoor Advertising Convention (OAC) in Mumbai looked at the fundamental issues and future technologies that will develop the out-of-home industry – ranging from BlueCasting to ‘prosumers’ and interactive kiosks.
O&M has won the maximum number of awards at the Outdoor Advertising Awards (OAA) 2006, which were held in Mumbai on June 10. Some of the other prominent winners include Saatchi & Saatchi, Grey Worldwide, JWT, Leo Burnett and Lowe Lintas for their outstanding work in outdoor advertising.
With the case study presentations just two days away, the media fraternity is preparing to put its best foot forward for the EMVIES 2006. Most of the top agencies are in line to bag the coveted ‘Media Agency of the Year’ award. Industry leaders believe that EMVIES is the only platform that recognises and awards efforts in the media domain.
Crayons Advertising Delhi has won the creative duties of Kajaria Ceramics in a multi-agency pitch. The incumbent agency was Triton Delhi. The size of the business has been pegged at Rs 7 crore. Kajaria Ceramics had entrusted its media duties to Starcom in May 2006.
The changing dynamics of the Hindi general entertainment channels has never failed to surprise the observers of the genre. Despite the drop in Hindi GEC’s share year-on-year, it continues to be the king. What makes this story interesting is the leader STAR Plus’ ability to hold on to a lion’s share and Zee TV being the singular case that has shown growth in an otherwise dropping genre.