January 13, 2012 - Campaign India
Perhaps, one city that represents the rapid transformation of our economy is Gurgaon, a sleepy hamlet to a bustling metropolis within a span of a couple of decades. Called the “millennium city” but plagued with 20th century infrastructure issues. Sounds familiar? In a similar vein, the need for Public Relations has transformed over the last couple of decades; from a proxy for a “free advert” to possibly playing a central role in building corporate credibility. However, the profession itself is plagued with an image problem, often quoted as the “Dark Side” and practioners referred to as “Spin Doctors” and their role often limited to generating positive publicity!
Public Relations today needs Empirical Public Relations more than anything else if it has to Click to Read More
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How Green Brands can connect with consumers
Insights from the PSB 2011 Green Brands Global Survey
A green future with greener surroundings and a green bank balance is on most people’s list irrespective of which side of the globe they are on. But is green a healthy colour only till it reaches your shopping cart or it becomes a decisive point when making purchases? As countries globally step on the pedal for greener policies and organisations increasingly adopt the ‘organic’ growth path, is a consumer’s desire for going green translating into action when they make key decisions during crowded, crazy shopping hours? And if so, what is driving the consumer’s choice for green brands in India? Or, for that matter, breaking it…….
Here’s the good news, capturing the perspective of over 9,000 consumers across 8 countries, the 2011 ImagePower® Green Brands Survey reveals that an increasing number of consumers have a desire for going green and are willing to pay relatively more to buy a green product. Click to Read More
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Brand India is here. But are Indian Brands?
In these very columns I had written about the transition of Brand India. I had delved into the world’s acknowledgment of India’s tour de force and its need to combine hard and soft power to make a mark on the world stage. As one of the world’s fastest growing economies, India has certainly made the world sit up and take notice. The world has taken note of India Inc’s global expansion. But does the world know who the makers of Brand India are? More importantly, do India Inc’s power players enjoy brand power on the global stage?
This was the very reason we at Penn Schoen Berland, www.psbresearch.in conducted the global survey of Bizfluentials™ to find out the recall and recognition of the growing tribe on ‘Indian Multinationals’. We shortlisted 61 companies with a turnover of at least INR 1000 crores and had international listing or international operations. Titled Click to Read More
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Reputare has been silent for a while as I was very pre-occupied with getting our new home up and running after a disaster called a ‘goofy sub-contractor’ hit us. That’s now settled. Thank God. Thank you for your patience.
Well I am back and there can be no better time than this to learn from the “Great Kalmadi Show.”
Let me say up front, that I support the Games. I support them in-spite of the mess, the corruption, et all because it IS after all, about the athletes and their moment of glory. Can we afford to boycott them? This is the recognition, they work so hard for to achieve, rising above the system that is designed to discourage not encourage. So, I support the games because I care for our athletes.
I remember the song; we used to sing in school. “We shall overcome/ Ham honge kamyab ek din.” This is their moment, so lets cheer them to win for India.
Now to Mr. Kalmadi, a little birdie informed me that he has now hired another consultant to manage his public image and has already gone through two before that. Does he not realize that Click to Read More
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The last I heard a phrase like “Sorry, Indians not allowed” was in the pre-independence India and it’s a kind of strange that even more than 60 years after independence that in the Capital City of India, an international company which is looking to make money from India would open their FIRST outlet with an “Exclusive Preview for international travellers” and restrict access to holders of international passports..don’t believe me check out the picture that my friend and colleague Shrey Khetarpal took when he visited their outlet at the CITY SELECT MALL in Saket, New Delhi.
What’s their message “INDIANS KEEP OUT”! Wonder how’s that going to be possible for a retail outlet in India? Apparently, this is a franchise outlet and the franchisee is an Indian national. The question I ask, “Does Haagen-Dazs have any control over its communication and the way it presents itself to its consumers?” If the answer in this case is a NO, then it’s their Click to Read More
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