New Head & Shoulders shampoo launched
Posted on July 12, 2005
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Procter & Gamble on Tuesday launched new Head & Shoulders shampoo variant with Aloe Vera and vita zinc, which could be helpful against dandruff on regular use. Head & Shoulder is one of the most trusted brands in lifestyle products in both India and abroad.
The healthy and healing properties of this ancient herb could actually give the user a healthy scalp by reducing scratching. The only thing one has to do is regular use. Though the new product is not absolutely chemical-free, adequate care has been taken so as to minimize their harmful effect. With the launch of this version Head & Shoulders, which already is a big brand in the Indian anti-dandruff shampoo segment, the branding will be further strengthened in the Indian market.
BSNL to launch Video Conferencing
Posted on July 12, 2005
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IN ORDER to provide value addition ot the brand image, state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd of India is all set to offer video conferencing facilities to its broadband clients by next month.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd has tied up with integrated communication solutions provider Polycom for the venture that is expected to be rolled-out in five metros early next month.
In the post globalisation days the market in India is growing every day. Multi-nationals and BPO’s are foraing into Indian Market everyday. So in order to tap the growing indian market and improve its brand equity, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd is out with its Video-Conferencing.
Polycom today launched its ReadiSeries platform of conferencing and collaboration infrastructure products targeted at corporates, MNCs, BPOs, ITES, health and education verticals.
4,633 units of Innova Sold in June
Posted on July 12, 2005
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Toyota Kirloskar one of the auto manufacturing brand, expects its newly launched crossover vehicle, Innova to achieve a higher volume growth. Sales were expected to shoot up to 45,000 units by the end of this year on the basis of the current demand of multipurpose vehicles in India.
According to company reports Innova has been considerably well and, for the first time since its launch, it sold 4,633 units in June in India, which was the highest among multipurpose vehicles and other crossover cars. Qualis, which was phased out last year, sold 50 per cent less units during the same period last year.
Toyota has been carrying out market surveys on a constant basis to find the reasons for Innova’s sales as well as it is mapping out the preferences of first-time buyers.
Marks $ Spencer to buy 100% shares in India
Posted on July 12, 2005
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Marks & Spencer (M&S), the UK’s largest clothing retailer, is planning to create a wholly-owned brand by acquiring the remaining shares it does not own in its Indian venture. The retail giant brand, which runs franchisee operations in India, is buying out the Indian stakeholders, Vandana Shroff and Nimisha S Rau, in Marks & Spencer (India) at Rs 10 per share.
The move will enable the Marks & Spencer to hold 100% stake in its venture in India. The retail giant is also planning to subscribe to further equity shares of M&S (India). Marks & Spencer (India) has sought the approval of the Foreign Investment and Promotion Board (FIPB) for the investment. The move is expected to increase the brand equity of retail giant.
The plan behind the move to invest in M&S India is part of the overall strategy to step up outsourcing from India. India is turning out to be the major sourcing base for the textile products. Post-investment, Marks & Spencer India proposes to source and procure goods - including textiles, furniture and home furnishing - from India and sell it to its franchisees in India.
BHEL CMD gets Udyog Ratna
Posted on July 12, 2005
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The CMD of one of leading brands of India in electrical equipments Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL), Mr A.K. Puri, has been awarded the Udyog Ratna award by the PHDCCI for his contribution to the economic development of Uttaranchal.
A company press release here said as much as 86 per cent of the installed capacity of the State has Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd equipment.
Infosys declares its q1 results
Posted on July 12, 2005
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The most trusted IT brand in India, Infosys Technologies on Tuesday announced a 36.52 per cent increase in its revenue for the first quarter at Rs 2,071.59 crore with net profit after tax growing at 36.97 per cent to touch Rs 531.92 crore.
In its consolidated result for the q1, Infosys declared that the revenue was expected to grow at 26-27 per cent during the current fiscal. 36 new clients were added by Infosys and its subsidiaries from both India and abroad during the quarter with the net addition of manpower being 3,056. The company had in its rolls 39,806 employees as on June 30, 2005 and has a huge brand equity.
IDBI ties up with Watson Wyatt
Posted on July 12, 2005
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IDBI Ltd, one of the most trusted brands in the banking sector has firmed up plans to float a life insurance company on its own. Formerly known as the Industrial Development Bank of India, the financial institution -turned-bank has engaged Watson Wyatt to work out a roadmap for its insurance foray and look for joint venture partners.
Watson Wyatt is an international consultant, which provides wide-ranging insurance and financial services. The Indian arm of the consultant is headed by State Bank of India Life’s former chief executive R. Krishnamurthy. This strategic tie up is expected to create brand image for Industrial Development Bank Of India’s new venture in Life Insurance.
IDBI has 131 branches in India and the number will go up to 200 in the current financial year. In the next two years, 300 branches will be added.The brand is aiming at a 25 per cent compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) in the next three years. The growth in retail will be 42–45 per cent. The retail credit is expected to grow from Rs 6,000 crore to Rs 12,000 crore in the current financial year.
LIC to foray into Saudi Arabia
Posted on July 12, 2005
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Life Insurance Corporation the most trusted brand in insurance in India plans to come up with an initial public offer for its joint venture in Saudi Arabia and is considering foray into Australia and New Zealand
Life Insurance Corporation of India along with Life Insurance Corporation International (Bahrain) and New India Assurance a well known brand in general insurance will hold 31 per cent stake while Al Hoiker group of Saudi Arabia will have 29 per cent interest in the Indo-Saudi Insurance Company being floated with a initial capital of about Rs 114 crore.
Life Insurance Corporation has decided to foray into overseas markets where New India has operations. Government has provided Rs 280 crore to LIC in the budget for the seed capital required for the overseas ventures.
Reliance announces bonus for subscribers
Posted on July 12, 2005
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Reliance Infocomm, one of India’s largest telephone services brand, today announced a bonus talk time of Rs 1,000 on the purchase of new handsets, bringing down the price of a new colour handset to Rs 2,799. The price for some popular black-and-white handsets has also been lowered to Rs 999.
In oreder to strengten the brand and attract more and more subscribers Reliacne Infocomm has offered bonus talk time. For prepaid subscribers, the bonus talk time that is valid for 90 days from the date of purchase can be consumed for making calls to Reliance India Mobiles. It is open for all new handsets activated from July 10-31. On post-paid tariff plans, it will be credited to the monthly bills at the rate of Rs 200 ($4.5) a month for five months. Reliance Infocomm has a subscriber base of over 12 million.
Reliance Challenges TDSAT in Supreme Court
Posted on July 12, 2005
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Telecom brand Reliance Infocomm has challenged in the Supreme Court of India an order of the telecom appellate tribunal TDSAT upholding imposition of a penalty of Rs 150 crores on it by the Government for allegedly resorting to call re-routing. The Infocomm has contended that call re-routing was a global practice which was resorted to by all service providers including telecom PSUs MTNL and BSNL.
Reliance Infocomm, the biggest private sector telecom brand which Anil Ambani got last month as part of settlement of Reliance ownership, moved the Supreme Court of India for recovery of fine paid by it following the order by the Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal in March.
The Department of Telecom had imposed a penalty of Rs 150 crores on Reliance Infocomm for violating the licence condition and the same was challenged by Reliance in TDSAT. In its petition, Infocomm said there was no violation of any law in call re-routing as it was a technical procedure adopted by the service providers all over the world.
On March 4, this year TDSAT had dismissed.
Sahara ties up With African Sahara Computers
Posted on July 12, 2005
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Sahara Computers and Electronics Limited (SCEL), is a result of a strategic tie up between a South African IT brand, Sahara Computers (Pty) Ltd., and Sahara India Pariwar. The SCEL today announced the launch of a wide portfolio of IT products in the Indian market including desktop PCs starting at Rs 9,999.00 only. The successful introduction of Personal Computers at a price less than Rs 10,000 will make it within the reach of virtually everyone and that, in turn, also poise the country for a digital revolution. Providing cutting edge technology, SCEL showcased its entire range of Desktop PC’s, Notebooks and Servers also.
The launch is scheduled in two phases. The first phase would concentrate on the north India with the exception of Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. In the second phase, which will be around July period, the products will be available across the country. SCEL will primarily focus on increasing the PC penetration in India by bringing affordable solutions to the common man. In this way, SCEL’s plans are directed at securing a leadership market share in the fast growing Indian Market. The launch is expected to reach out to the masses ans strengthen the brand equtiy of both partners.
Cellular brands expects Rs. 7000 Cr. from IPO’s
Posted on July 12, 2005
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The market sources reveal that the three initial public offerings (IPO) in the telecom sector - from the big brands, Reliance Infocomm, Hutchinson Essar and Idea Cellular - are together expected to mop up at least Rs 7,000 crore from the capital market. The Reliance Infocomm IPO itself will raise about Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,500 crore, Hutchison Essar will raise about Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 crore and Idea Cellular will raise about Rs 1,500 crore, say sources.
The Reliance Infocomm IPO is expected to hit the market in 2005, followed by Hutchison Essar and Idea Cellular IPOs by June 2006. In order to strengthen the brand in India the funds raised by Hutchison Essar and Idea Cellular will be used for expanding their presence in more circles and Reliance Infocomm will use the funds to expand its mobile phone operations and broadband services. Reliance Infocomm is present in all the 23 circles across the country. However, Hutchison Essar is present in 13 circles and Idea Cellular has a presence in eight circles and recently has bagged the licence to operate in three additional circles. Reliance Infocomm has a market share of 19.89%, Hutchison Essar has a market share of 14.41% and Idea Cellular has a share of 6.85.
Airtel launches Black Berry 7100g
Posted on July 12, 2005
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One of the leading cellular services brands, Airtel and Research In Motion have introduced the internationally acclaimed, BlackBerry 7100g business phone in India. Details available at Mobile Phones India
Raymond claims stake in RPAL
Posted on July 12, 2005
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One of the leading brands of India, Raymond Ltd, is now set to foray into the auto industries sector. Raymond Ltd, will acquire a 69.17 per cent stake in Ring Plus Aqua Ltd (RPAL), an auto part company, for a consideration of Rs 21.05 crore. Raymond Ltd has taken such a descision to tap the growing auto market in India.
As per the arrangement, Raymond would acquire 51 per cent stake from ICICI Venture Fund with which the company’s equity was lying and the remaining share from RPAL’s original promoters for Rs 21.05 crore. With the aquisition Raymond Ltd will now enter the starter ring gears and integral shift bearings market. RPAL has its manufacturing units at Sinnar near Nashik.
In yet another deal on the engineering business front, Raymonds had yesterday announced the signing of a joint venture agreement with France based MOB Outillage SA to manufacture files and rasps in India at a total project cost of Rs 21 crore. The tie ups with companies like RPAL and MoB would help in strengthening of the brands engineering segment and the business is expected to double in the next couple of years. Company officials pegged the groups engineering business at Rs 200 crores and expected the business to grow upto Rs 300 crore by 2006-07.
Integreon, Acquires UK-Based Brahmy Solutions
Posted on July 12, 2005
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Integreon, a leading brand in knowledge, content and document services outsourcing, today announced the acquisition of Brahmy Solutions, a Knowledge Services outsourcing company located in the UK and India. The acquisition has enabled Integreon to expand knowledge Services capabilities offshore and increases its program management and sales presence in the European as well as Indian market. It also adds the management and analyst resources Integreon requires to capitalize on the rapid growth projected for the Knowledge Services sector (also known as Knowledge Process Outsourcing or “KPO”) and to meet expanding demand from existing customers for higher value-added services. This full entry into Knowledge Services follows six years of rapid growth in Integreon’s information, content, document, graphics and media outsourcing businesses.
Knowledge Services is the fastest growing sector in the BPO industry and is widely considered the most attractive investment oppurtunity in offshore outsourcing. According to the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), one of the leading IT brands the KPO sector in India may reach $15.5 billion by 2010, up from $1.2 billion now. As the sector matures and new services are defined, this projection could eventually reach $50 billion.
Integreon’s expanded Knowledge Services capabilities include:
- Valuation models
- Market research to identify corporate activity, peer group analysis, past transaction analysis, thematic studies, pitch books and information memorandum
- Data mining, statistical analysis, and market data reporting
- Financial modeling, portfolio analysis, industry and sector analysis, comp sheets
- Literature searches, annual reports, SEC filings, earnings estimates
- M&A and debt/equity league table provision
Airtel plans network expansion
Posted on July 12, 2005
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Airtel, leading brand of Bharti Cellular India has announced an expansion in infrastructure in Tamil Nadu in the wake of its plans to almost double the towns covered by its network this fiscal besides an increase in traffic between customers in Chennai and the rest of Tamil Nadu following regulatory changes.
Airtel recently commissioned its third switch in Chennai to be followed by Madurai next month. The management of the brand was not ready to share the investment figures in south India. The expansion has been driven partly by Airtel’s fast rollout of its network in Tamil Nadu over the last few months. The subscriber base of the brand in the Tamil Nadu telecom circle (excluding Chennai) has grown by around 16 per cent in the first quarter of 2004-05 to stand at 3.99 lakh subscribers.
Based on the past experience the brand claims that the traffic increase in south India can be as high as five-fold once regulations that restrict inter-circle connectivity are eased.
Mumbai to get Hindustan Times in july
Posted on July 12, 2005
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Hindustan Times, one of the leading newspaper brands in north India is all set to enter the Mumbai market on July 14.
Hindustan Times is expected to start with an initial print-run of 2 lakh copies. In order to get the straengthen the branding the entire strategy for the Mumbai market has been divided in three/four phases. In the initial phase of almost an year – Hindustan Times plans to get quality readers rather than just increasing circulation numbers. The leading English brand wants to create an brand equity by targeting the discerning English speaking readers of Mumbai first, and then look for the masses.
As per our long term strategy, Hindustan Times want to create a positive and up-market brand image in Mumbai. The brand plans target the masses only in the second or the third phase.
Ford B376 to hit Indian roads in Oct
Posted on July 11, 2005
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The famous automobile brand Ford plans to launch its new mid-sized premium car, B376, in India October this year.
Acccording to the market sources, Ford is looking to generate annual sales of 25,000-27,000 for the Indian market with the new brand which will be positioned in the same class as the top end Honda City and enter mid level variants of Optra and Elantra.
The B376 is likely to be powered by a peppy 1.6 litre petrol engine and a 1.4 litre common rail diesel engine. There may even be a 1.4 litre petrol option. The car may also be exported from India to certain other markets on lines of the model followed by the famous brand Ikon.
General Motors to launch 4 new models
Posted on July 11, 2005
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General Motors India (GMI) now plans to have an enlarged presence in the India, both in terms of models as well as a profitable dealer network. In oreder to strengthen the brand at least four new models, including the widely expected mini-car, will hit the Indian roads in the next 18 months
General Motors India is also keen to introduce the brands ‘Hummer’ and the ‘Cadilac‘ range of cars over the next 2-3 years. These will vie for honours along with the initially introduced ‘Opel‘ and the subsequent ‘Chevy‘ brand of vehicles in India.
General Motors India has already drawn plans to launch three new models in the Indian market and this does not include the mini-car.
Coca Cola demands apology from photographer
Posted on July 11, 2005
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Famous Soft Drink Brand Coca Cola India has demanded an unconditional apology from Sharad Haksar the photographer, who has tried to depict the acute water problem in chennai by taking photo of colourful pitchers kept infront of a tube well. The tube well was incidentally situated near a wall which had the brand painted all over and on top of it all the photograph was displayed on a billboard.
Coca Cola India claims that the billboard has done a incalculable damage to their brand and want its removal immediately. In India, the brand already has it’s problems with goodwill, especially in the south India where the Plachimada Coke-botteling facility was shut down after intense community pressure, but has now been re-opened after the the Kerala High Court now has permitted Coca-Cola to extract up to 500,000 liters of water from the common groundwater resource per day.
S Kumars posts Rs 17.45 crore profit
Posted on July 11, 2005
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S Kumars the famous garment brand has posted a net profit of in q1 as against a net loss of Rs 33.75 crore in the corresponding previous quarter which has helped the brand to strength its branding in India.
Revenues of the brand has increased by 29 per cent to Rs 205.91 crore from to Rs 159.30 crore. Profit before interest, depreciation and tax stood at Rs 24.97, a 166 per cent growth over Rs 9.37 crore achieved in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
Posco plans $200-million port in India
Posted on July 11, 2005
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Pohang Steel Company (Posco), the major steel brand from South Korea plans to invest between $200 to $300 million to develop a new port facility at Paradip, India.
The world’s fifth largest steel maker brand had earlier decided to use the existing Paradip port facility for transfer of raw material finished products to and from its proposed 12 million tonne steel plant coming up in the port city of India.
The Korean steel brand has scaled up investment for its steel plant in Orissa from earlier $10 billion to $12 billion to accommodate additional investment on developing infrastrural facilities like road, township and port in India.
Indiabulls net up 639% in Q1
Posted on July 11, 2005
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Indiabulls, the famous financial services brand in India has posted 639 per cent jump in net profit after registering a 326 per cent growth in total revenues in q1.
Indiabulls has recorded net profit, during the first quarter of the current year at Rs 40.93 crore from Rs 5.54 crore in the corresponding period of the last year. Total revenues grew to Rs 98.63 crore from Rs 23.13 crore. Profit recorded by the brand before tax increased by 600 per cent to Rs 62.11 crore from Rs 8.87 crore.
Indiabulls continues its strong growth momentum as the brand capitalise on the rapid growth of financial markets in India. Their national network and large capital base have positioned the brand at the heart of growth in the non-banking financial services market
LIC adjudged most preferred insurance co
Posted on July 11, 2005
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Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has been adjudged as `the most preferred life insurance brand in the India’ by research firm AC Neilson ORG MARG
AC Neilson ORG MARG conducted a survey for the channel Awaaz in which 7,000 respondents from 21 cities participated. The survey was conducted to inform consumers of India about the attributes they preferred in various brands as well as to create awareness among advertisers about the parameters on which a particular brand is preferred over others.
Priya plans to launch soft drinks
Posted on July 11, 2005
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Kolkata based Priya Laboratories Pvt Ltd, is all set to hit the soft drink market of West Bengal by launching its new brand of soft drink, Priya Yours.
Priya Laboratorties Pvt Ltd, manufacturers of the famous buiscuit brand ‘Priya‘ plans to tap the beverages market of India which is growing many folds everyday. The soft drink will be launched in 4 flavours and juice in 5 flavours in the states West Bengal, Assam, Orissa, Jharkhand and Bihar.
Samir Nair of Star India inaugrates Promax&BDA
Posted on July 11, 2005
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Promax & BDA India, the second edition of the television branding and promo starts this morning in Mumbai. The branding event was inaugurated by president and CEO Jim Chabin and Star India COO Samir Nair. As a promotional tool Apple gave away Ipod products to two winners.
Promax has also released a book consisting pictures of all the events that happened last year including India. A reel created by Promax was also shown at the branding and promo festival. It showed the trends in the India’s television landscape.
Sanjay Behl joins Reliance Infocomm
Posted on July 11, 2005
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Sanjay Behl, head of marketing operation of Nokia, joins Reliance Infocomm -controlled by Anil Ambani as branding head.
Reliance Infocomm expects behl to be a key marketing resource for the brand.
Behl, was head of marketing for its India operations, Nokia. His responsibilities included managing the brand, products, technology, retail and the media.
Shoppers’stop in Bangalore…
Posted on May 28, 2005
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Well known brand Shoppers’ Stop chain, opened their third outlet of 48000 sq. ft. in Bangalore, Karnataka State. The store will offer personal accessories, apparel, cosmetics, leather goods and jewelry needs of the customers.
The company is opening a new retail outlet at Shipra, Ghaziabad, UP on Monday, 30th May, also intends to open two more outlets in Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, most likely another two at Delhi.Which will raise their sq. ft area to over a one million.
Shoppers’ Stop has progressed from being a single brand shop to becoming a Fashion & Lifestyle store for the family. Today, Shoppers’ Stop is a household brand in India name, known for its superior quality products, services and above all, for providing a complete shopping experience.
Credibility and expertise of , Shoppers’ Stop made it the highest benchmark for the Indian retail industry.
Shoppers’ Stop is one and only Indian member of the Intercontinental Group of Department Stores (IGDS) along with 29 other retailers from across the world including UK’s , Germany’s , Japan’s , Singapore’s and Dubai’s .
Hinduja Group is looking for Expansion…
Posted on May 28, 2005
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Well knowm ‘Hinduja Group’ looking at India more seriously. They are looking at areas like infrastructure, including roads, power, energy and water.
About their expansion plans of the Rs. 4800 crore commercial vehicles major Ashok Leyland brand, the company’s plan to expand further.
‘Hinduja group’ seeking enterance into the passenger car segment.
They are open at getting into this (passenger car) segment but it will have to be under a different brand name. Passenger car segment is a competitive segment, and they won’t use Ashok Leyland’s name if they get into this area”.
Ashok Leyland wants to expand their business into neighbouring countries besides broadening its business within India.
Hinduja group also think that healthcare is another area which the group is focussing on.
“They are opening a 100-bed hospital in Mumbai shortly”, company is much concerned aboutt acquisitions. “They recently acquired a bulk drug company in Hyderabad and are open to more such acquisitions within the country and abroad.”
Hinduja group is exploring investments in infrastructure, including roads and power, and is planning to enter the passenger car segment , coz’ India is a big Country and they have their brand image.
GM’s Cadillac brands of cars soon in India
Posted on May 28, 2005
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The world’s largest car maker, General Motors, is likely to introduce its Cadillac brand of cars in India.
The first models likely to be launched in India are the super luxury performance Sedan, STS and the CTS.
The Cadillac cars are expected to be priced between 75 lakh and Rs 1,25,00,000, and will be an image building brand for GM.
GM India has also lined up another launch. A premium hatchback ‘Aveo’ is all set to hit the indian roads next January. ‘Aveo’ brand will be followed by the Sedan version. The Aveo Sedan will replace the existing well known Indian brand Opel Corsa.